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FEDER@™ BUREAU OF INVI ~ iTIONS“|-.- =
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THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT oL/HI. FLORIDA . FILE NO. = £:/:~270
eS Te wage BADE REPORT MADE BY | 35 4s 5, 6, 7-52 ASAC W. W. BURKE, JR. JMS
“T Uaiaioin JECTS ; Ys CHARACTER OF CASE HARRY TEMOORE - VICTIM . ‘ HARRIETIMOORE (deceased) ~ VICTIM CIVIL RIGHTS
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REPORT MADE AT
MIAMI, FLORIDA :
DATE WHEN DE.
1-14-52
A 7. Moar E Interviews with ali-NAACP-officials for State of . Florida and many others in member status as well as friends and close associates produced little or
nothing of value. Conjecture on part of some 3 MM ;
though newiiing specific, that incident resulted } from H, T> (00RE/s activity in connection with /o/ Groveland case. Investigation re possible connec-
tion with Groveland case negative to date. (nly
routine mail received by MOORE at his Mims mailing
address as far as could be determined, Interview | with victims! daughter, ANNIE ROSALEA MOORE, and oy subsequent interviews with relatives revealed no information of value. Activities of H. T. MOORE subsequent to arrival Mims, Florida, 12-18-51 de- termined but no information of value resulted.
FBI Taveratory unable from evidence sent in to de- .
te ° we ra a . rmine’ type of explosive used OTHER Court Order
Ry ‘. _ . C7». .
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od. ee 0 uf for NAACP, inter- , ewed. ime scene search extended to include en~-
SO tire area under house and 75 to 100 yards arourid
yop house, also sifting of soil and debris under house?
\ ‘ Bits of questionable glass and unknowm fragments re- sulting from such search forwarded FBI Laboratory. Contents of MOORE's briefcase in house at time of bombing examined with little or no favorable
results.. Numerous routine interviews with residents, . white and colored, of Mims, Florida, revealed infor W A) ‘00’ “e
. APPROVED ANU " SPECIAL. AGENT we, FORWARDED yf\ | cs) IN CHARGE DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES
6) COPIES DESTROYED Te i | Gye ie COPIES OF THIS REPORT 7s
OD Mt fh Ai. TORS J ~- Bureau | . “1h. oh & - 7 _- USA Tampa fec- AAG THM: +4) i =) 7
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Savannah 2-~- Washington Field JAN 22: Nc Charlotte 2 — New-York 48 we
~ Atlanta 2- Pittsburgh fT
j- Birmingham 6 - Miami (44~270) Y
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BPR {EE Domddensictrepor and its contents are loaned to you by the FBI and are ng si
O T ROPRBTE PR e of agency to which loaned. 16—G1360-1 —s-U,. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFF AE
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WWB:JMS
MM 44-270
SYNOPSIS: mation that 2 white men, during latter part of ( continued) July or early August, 1951 inquiring at Mims,
Florida re location residence of victim MOORE. Green truck reportedly seen across Old Dixie Highway from and in front of MOORE's home dur~ '
ing the morning hours on approximate date bombing identified and eliminated. LC rd Mims Citrus Exchange, el4minated as
LC
suspect eliminated as suspect,
ebastian, Florida, explosives expert who handled blasting of Sebastian Inlet in LOLI unable to enlighten on type of explosive used. Sale and distribution of dynamite in Brevard County checked with negative results. Dynamite readily accessible over counter without record. Call from to HARRIETT MOORE in Lake Park, Florida, determined based.upon fear of re- > prisal by A. FORTENBERRY, former Chairman of County Commission who was defeated in final elec~ tion in 11~50 on "write-in" vote. Victim MOORE known to have been quite active in causing negro vote to swing to FORTENBERRY's opponent. Interviews with residents Mims and Cocoa, Florida, strengthen motive on part of FORTENBERRY, though no specific allegations or evidence of proof developed to date that FORTEN~ BERRY involved. Service bases in vicinity checked re possibility explosives obtained on instant bases with negative results, Explosives test to be con- ducted Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa, for
observation omparison purposes, [nd ee ea iaineena as suspects. No evi-~ dence developed KKK active in immediate area Mims and Titusville, Florida. Two white men reportedly inquiring in Mims re residence of H. T. MOORE ten- - tabively identified as TILLMAN H. BELVIN and EARL BROOKLYN of Orlando, both of whom are known to be active in Georgia Klan of KKK and to have bad repu~ tations. Very little, if any, results of value ob- tained from search of victims! iviera, Florida,
apartment. eliminated as sus— pect. Victim, HARRIETT MOORE expired 1-3-52 at 5:30 P.M, | Orlando, Florida, torpedo manu~ facturer, Considered suspect. . ~Peu ~ 2
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HWS:~h MM 4-270
DETAILS:
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent on December 28, 29, and 30, 1951.
AT CRLANDO, FLORIDA
of the NAACP at Orlando, advised he attended the State Convention of the NAACP at Daytona Beach and at no time to his knowledge were there any outspoken or implied threats made to victim MOORE. stated MOORE was removed from his past position due to the lack of funds and no one was being considered to replace him,
[_|further~stated that the last contact he had had with MOORE was the Saturday night before the State Convention when MOORE stopped at his Td home in Orlando and advised[___sdJwife that he, MOORE, would be back in thirty minutes. [____|stated that MOORE never returned and when he spoke to MOORE in Daytona Beach he asked him why he did not come back whereupon MOORE stated that something had come up and he had to leave hurriedly, [___Jadded that MOORE did not elaborate on what had come up. knew of no recent conventions or meetings of the NAACP held in Orlando at which MOORE was present nor did he lnow of any information concerning an allegation to the effect that MOORE had been chased out of Orlando from any meeting of the NAACP or other meetings, [_____|stated he knew of no suspects in the instant case; however, added that the local chapter of the NAACP had been having internal strife, none of which he thought would have perpetrated this crime,
rari be is of the NAACP ir? Orlando and was at the State Convention of the NAACP in
Daytona Beach. He further stated that there were no threataming remarks or strong aggitation against MOORE at the convention and he considered himsel? to be MOORE's "strongest critic" at the convention, He stated he felt MOORE was not a big enough man to hold the office he had held and the said office had outgrown him. He further stated the office
was discontinued because of lack of funds, According to[_ | MOORE was not aggressive enough, would not take issue on any subject and did not have the ability to handle the job.
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AT OCALA, FLORIDA
a MOORE had not been in Oca uring the past six montns to nis knowledge and
had not attended an NAACP meeting in Ocala during the past two years. He
stated MOORE was removed from the office he held at the state convention
because the membership was not going up as it should so they could not pay
him his back salary. L___J]further stated there were no threats or out~
spoken action against MOORE at the state convention and MOORE accepted, without compensation, the position of state coordinator, He added that no one else
was considered for the job and it was only because of lack of funds that he
was removed until they could pay him some $2,500.00 in back pay, at which time they intended to decide what to then do with the position of Executive Secretary.
With reference to MOORE!s activities of late,[__]stated MOORE went to a convention at Palm Beach withL__—Cé=sdd tol lowing the state con— vention and to his knowledge he_had then returned to Mims, Florida where he had remained until his death, [_____|stated ANNIE MOORE, victim's daughter, who teaches school in Ocala, had advised him she thought the death of her father was the work of colored people because of the intimate knowledge that was had by the perpetrators of the MOORE home, [ stated it was the belief of many colored people that one of their own race killed MOORE; how~ ever he did not know what it was based on except the belief of ANNIE MOORE that the killer knew too much about the MOORE house and where the victim was sleeping in the house,
[| statea(D of orlando had called him on Wednesday,
December 26, 1951 and advised him he knew the identity of a packing house man in Mims who had threatened MOORE and made appointment to meet in Mims, but[__] wired he could not come. added he had_knowledge of the trouble in Orlando between and
had been at it at the state convention," made a member of the state Executive Committee over demanded[___—J be kicked out of the NAACP. [| __]sbated he advised he was out of order and to present any complaint he had in writing to Executive Committee for appropriate action, [| further stated was MOORE's closed "henchman", and they had been very close friends for many
years. According to had advised MOORE that was a Comematieat ance had misappropriated NAACP funds, According to MOORE took
no part at the cotvemiion in the argument between [ and
It was noted had & eopy of a recent letter from MOORE toL___] at tavares, Florida, wherein MOORE made reference to etter of 11-27-51 asking for a capy of the resolution drawn up at the
state convention concerning the Groveland case. MOORE advised in the letter he was asking| Teo make the same available to him. urther
advised MOORE is the Executive Secretary of the Progressive e of Horde) The., of xxéca[ ered
was -~ 6 =
HWS sms hh 270 --
Ld stated he heard on Wednesday, December 26, 1951 while in Mims fromL_——idts ak [___ Jo’ HARRIETT MOORE, victim, that the Sheriff of Madison County had been in Mims recently inquiring as to the identity of HARRY T. MOORE and if he wre white or black, stated he knew of no more information concerning this; however, he had reported the same to | b6 added that he had heard on December 26, 1951 from[___] bic per ie had recently: been run out of Orlando by some white
people; however, he felt this was a rumor,
was inter— viewed; however, she stated she had heard the same story from and
she believed it to be a rumor, was reinterviewed concerning this and he still contends he heard it from
Confidential Informant[__] of known reliability, who is a member of the KKK, advised MOORE's death was discussed among members attending a KKK meeting in and none seemed to know who was responsible for the act; however, they felt it was probably done by members of the Lake County Kian. [_]stated that,
to his knowledge, they had nothing on which to base this belief, ee
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Confidential Informant [__] of known reliability, and a member of the KKK, advised he could furnish no information concerning the identity of the party or parties concerned in the instant killing.
oe ey ong investigation was conducted by Special Agent b6
AT GROVELAND, FLORIDA. : DIC
EE Negro, advised he was very familiar with the activities of the Negroes in the Groveland area and, to his knowledge, MOORE had not been in that area during the past year, He stated he had
heard a rumor that MOORE was run out of Groveland after the alleged rape case; however, he knew nothing about the incident,
AT CLERMONT, FLORIDA,
[| Negro, advised he was[________lof the NAACP for the Clermont-Groveland area and stated MOORE head not been in
that area during the last year to his knowledge. [| _] added that he. knew of no suspects in the instant cases, nor did he know the reason for 6 the killing, / b7C
| The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents : Lo ana] a
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HWS saeb MM 44-270
[__J pointed out the fact that in the local od be Po]
Orlando there were opposing factions and MUURE was wanted bv to "slap it down" but according to[__] MOORE only "winked at the
[ __|statea the instant killing hashim and his wife so worried they are considering dropping from the NAACP.
. The follow j i was comucted by the writer and Special Agent when first interviewed by Special Agen on the night of December 28, 1951,
advised he had no suspects in the instant killing and knew of no
one who held any animosity toward MOORE, He added MOURE had always been cuiet and reserved and never wanted to "step on anybody!s toes",
He further stated MURE had visited him on the Saturday nj ht before the State Convention at which time they called on theL______l fami Ly
near Orlando and MOORE left the [Thome tthe same time he left ard was at that time enroute Mims, Chis Po fone is that of victim SHEPHERD who was recently killed by Sheriff WILLIS V. Mo CALL, Lake County). oS
s re~interviewed upon learnin from[ NAACP, New York , that [thad advised him ée suspected a en man in Mims =r the name off “b
this interview stated "Good Neighbors, Inc," which was an organization to bring better relations between labor, management and the races, According to he called upon the various businessmen in an effort to correct any differences between manage the colored workers. He stated he had b j on Mims Citrus Growers Association's for the past two years and on several occas-ons mentioned an
"old man" in that area who was giving them trouble. stated that on October 24, 1951, while calling onL___]he asked him who,
he hagyreference to when he mentioned the "old man" and said HARRY’ MOORE. [| stated [said MCORE was putting "notions
in niggers! heads" and "his neck ought to be broken", With reference’ to the wrd notions stat ed had reference to the fact
that MUORE was having the negro register to vote and was telling the negro he should vote when really they did not know vhat they were voting for.
[| stated he went t@_see HaARRY T. MOURE, victim, and told him_he should go have a talk with traighten out their trouble as was made enough to_kill him stated he did not know if MOORE ,ad ever gone to seel ~h-
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MM 44-270
f the Ocala Chapter of the NAACP, advised he attended the state convention of the NAACP in Daytona Beach and stated there was nothing at the state convention which was out of line as far as threats to victim MOORE, He stated MOORE was removed from the position of executive secretary because of lack of funds to pay him, He stated some ware dissatisfied.with the decline in membership from around eight thousand to a little over three thousand and felt MOORE was actually not agyressive enough. L__] stated it was also felt by those present that the members were unhappy in the set up of the organization in the fact that they had to take one man's report for the bookkeeping system and they felt it should be in the hands of several so they could actually see what the organization was doing and what the officers were doing. He added however, that no one questioned MOORE!s report as his report indicated he nad been most active in the small areas where the NAACP was not organized, [—___|knew of no suspects in the instant case and advised that should any come to his attention he would advise this office.
AT FRUITLAND PARK, FLORIDA
advised she had had no contact with MOORE since January, 1951, when he attended a NAACP meeting at Fruitland Park, She had no suspects and advised nothing was out of order at the state convention,
AT LEESBURG, FLORIDA
a state officer in the NAACP advised she had attended the state convention at Daytona Beach and steted MOORE was dropped from the position of executive secretary becavse of lack of funds, She further stated MOONE was a most "humble" man and it was her opinion that the killing of MCORE was the work of "those people in Groveland", however, she could furnish nothing on which to base this belief, She could not furnish the names of any suspects in the instant case and advised that if any came to her attention she would immediately notify this office. She stated MOORE had not been in that area since Fruitland Park meeting.
AT MY. DORA, FLORIDA
a state officer in the NaACP was interviewed at her home at where she is presently confined to her bed because of illness. She stated she had been too ill to attend the state convention, that everyone liked MOORE and that he had not been in Mt, Dara to her imowLedge in the past year. She knew of no suspects in the instant case nor of MOORE's recent activitiess
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b6 b7c
MMJs rem MM 4-270 The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents LC] anf] on December 28, 1951: BASIS — On December 28, 1951, OW Pan American Tobacco Company, 164 N, W. 26th Street, Miami, Florida, advised « that while he was servicing a cigarette machine located at Art Watson's Used Car Lot, 585 N. W. 36th Street, Miami, Florida at 3:00 P. M. on December 26, 1951, he overheard a telephone *-
conversation of one of the salesmén at Art Watson's to an unknown party relating to the killing of victim HARRY MOORE,
On interview, re Art Watson's sed Car Lot, 585 N. W. h Street, Miami, Florida, iden ifiedL
as one of his salesmen who fitted the description reported by as the unidentified salésman who had made the above telephone call.
on intervie ee Ld advised that at approximate 200 P, M. on December 26, - e
was in the office of Art Watson's Used Car Lot and noted a newspaper article relating to the bombing at Mims, Florida which resulted in the death of HARRY MOORE. He stated he was very familiar with the area_in and around _
Mims, Florida as a very close and personal friend of his, [ Cl who is a neighbor of his, ows
property at Mims, Florida which is used by them as a hunting ranch. He stated he had made numerous trips to this ranch accompanied by for hunting purposes and that as he was well acquainted with the area
the article appearing in the Miami Daily News attracted his attention viereupon he immediately caltea [7 of the B & K Cycle Shop, 5929 N. W. 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida. He state that he asked a he had seen the afternoon paper and upon receiving a negative answer immediately read the entire article relating to the
bombing which resulted in the death of HARRY MOORE at Mims, Florida to Co Jaivised that he had no particular interest in this article other than the described location of the bombing was in the immediate
vicinity of the ranch owned byl and it was for this reason that he had callead[ sand read the article to him over the phone.
stated that he was not a member of the Southern ._Knights of the Ku Klux Klan or any Klan organization and was not a member of any organization of that nature. He stated’ that[| ___—sJresided in .*
b6 b7c MMJs rem MM Ab~270
Hialeah, Florida at the above address and that their lots backed up to
each other and that he was a very close and personal friend and that he usually saw him each evening at their homes, He advised he could not recall having made the statement that he would see him at 5:30 P. M. but that as he usually was off from work at 5:00 P. M. and as it would take him approximately thirty minutes to get home that it could have been he made such a statement
as this. He advised that no formal meeting was anticipated by such a remark but that he was accustomed to seeingl each evening as a neighbor and social friend, emphasized that any indication that he might have given that he was pleased over such a bombing was a misrepresentation
of his feelings as he did not condone the killing of anyone under any circumstances, He maintained that his only interest was in his familiarity with the approximate location of MOORE's home and that from the location as i newspaper it was in the immediate area of the property owned
by
52, was interviewed by Special
Agents and at the B & K Cycle Shop, at which time he verified the information supplied by He stated that from his conversation with [Jon December 26, 1951
that he was sure that[— sd ony inte to their familiarity with the location of the MOORE home in Mims, dvised that he was a native of Mims and had moved to Miami of recent date and that his father
[stan resides in Mims and holds a posfiidon ot [| —____] there. He stated that the pee nad ned to by ctually was
owned by his father and that had made numerous trips with him to this property for hunting purposes. He advised that he knew of no organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan or others that[7 __] might be a member of and that the only information he supplied him by phone was that which was given in the newspaper article.
b6 bTC
CPA:msf MM 14270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents andL__ on December 29, 1951
BASIS: [was interviewed in view of the fact that he resides in the vicinity of MOORE's residence,
Titusville Ice Company, stated tlat he resided on the of the HARRY T. MOE residence. He sai at on the night o e@ expiosion he went to
bed at approximately 8:30 PM and did not hear the blast, He stated further that he did not hear of MOORE's death until the next morning,
said that he had no information as to any persons that might have been involved in the bombing of the MOOKE residence,’
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:¢ burvcan advised of tac folla~
e detcd Deconboer 29, 1951 ti 2 respects to evidenes LOLMALGCE ATK
“tho F3i Laboratory wit" raous Fr Spore $
wie soll specimens and debris taken fro centcr or blast crater and feon the edges of the crater and surrowxiing arca thercor contained = sae woud fragments, glass fragments and several small wads of cotton fivres T2cve Vas nothing present in these sazol.ecs to oormit identification of tho pervicular tipe of explosive substance used. :
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Fron bre bed shect from ded of victins, < aS woll as froin depris
balun vo! the “inmeciate arca umder bedroo.: and articles of clothing and curtain taker rrom the rubi dle and debris of tile Lodroon areca, 1% yas Ce~ t
omeinod ohie all consisted principall; os fragcucivts of wood, class, leansinn tissue, iscoller gous aint» GUSt Oint “Gopris vue Nothine was sound hove to 3em1it idonbifion: tion of the omplosive sunstance used.
AS to the suoes thet produced $AG Ispressions reprouuccd in plaster casts, it vas estimated the sige to be bebiveoon 7 and 9. No merk- ints tore. found on the casts that would assist ii tracing the shoes hab nade the cuestioned impressions.
ALDI “Lonel bits ox cvidence vore ound on extended ertmo seenvo Scarci consisting of:
J. Several pioces of glass and a heavy round rvdber washer. These bits OL GLOSS gopeared to be from a laboratory test tubo and the he cavy pupbor VOS.1cr OF tue type used in e laboratery to ‘old a test tube Lor the
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uEpOse of preventing breakage
ae Sovoral pieces of class and 2a cork _StOppery also found in sifting o2 debris in the immediate vicinity of tho vonb crater. These pieces of SLaSS appeared to be from a presert ‘bien trac bottle.
Ze <A specimen of brorn colored dust wien tas ser apow Prom. underneath the neo slil which was lLocatod immediately ebove ti re blest and below the orb: bedroom tindot,
lie A pees cf rope appearing to be ix into. cord, pearing an unknor purple ane § oLLow Ciscolorat 701. witieh i, fount in the deoris under victiris? JECLO ie
h on sos <: Say f de Also one oicce of glass tuoing found in the orenze crove to the north
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ox vietins? residence and approvinately 20-25 var
6. One motel clip, found in explosion crater. ~
7e Qe rubber Vasher vound in
the
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deorits unlcr tne victiris! becroon,
3s One suall spring found in debris under Victims? betlroor.
Tne Bureau Levoratory vas he
ayy or the above varticles could tion of a borb of some type.
Pocuestce to adyvi NYC “posulLbot LOR
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concermins nossibil ou use in the propara-
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Qu tuo tlopida A. Gi, Colloge for Kor. grocs, Jallahassee, Florida,
no has known both victins Well since apes 1940 as a result of muwual interest in NAACP work in Florida. [7 ___]wes with JARRY ar carve mtd ion, Daytone. Scacn, Florida, curing tao micdle of cor, 1951 ond last sav: hin November 29 9 1351 at Lest Palm 3each,
Ge "TM oris latter cloy LOME inforsed [T Jthat he planned %o ron there to Port Leuderda le, Vlovica, osvensioly for conference vO leaders there in comnection inith NAACP work.
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velieves WOORE vas in Mla Deesaber 13 >» L951 Lor purpose of aticuding NAACP necting whore THUR (GOOD HARSHALL, “ational Council for NAAG?, 148 LC be the principal sycakor. Accord: co HOOKS aluecs trevclea alone, got Qlone well uit: both inte ata eclorcd vcoplc Ln Show ‘da but hed no saformatd. a enomies{___] knows nothing of HOORE? s
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reecary svavels ant uctivivies other than as MOMOCLOCHOS, abOVG.
[| veseribes Victirs 2s dons in yory concen 18! 2 Aappil: Bei Ww, couple” with no douestic problons. Viebin MOORE vas coll lnoun by 1
V o Neepro atyorne vhose last neue ts | le ang, whc lives in Orlando, Florida one ce Jac csonville, Florida ang oneL__ Jo? Ocala, all of gh 1
C wie attended NAACP confcronce at Daytona Boach lass November,
Pa]
[ __| ws personal. opinion buat Viculis? coaths were "an ous~ Grove oY The racial attention caused oy tne veecent Groveland, Florida, episcac" althourh he says he vossusses absolutely i ho specific facts to subsvantiatve his theorr.
Tn adcition to HOO *s NAACP work, according to [MOORE was isc active in bonal? of. she Prog eressivo Voters Le BOR US » Ince, an opraniga- tion wen has deen openly at voMpting tO cause recistretion of a itiniun
{3
goal of 3.0 iiliion nosro yoters in Flor CLC nad ao further vortin~ ene Lomatvion rorard3 Lng Victins? anaes qu stated he would insacdiatoly COnETeE the Hobile Office if Infornetion valus cane to his attontion in
7. =
Soction with who os pinrormstion, the nazes nontioned of arid eve Know to the Milani office in
conneceion with insteis case and have pec: contactcd, results of tdiich con- vaces 211 oe hereinafter set out,
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b6é b7C
PEG ?JIMS tiki Lb—270
The following investigation was conducted by Special agent[__]
member of the NAACP an of the local NasCP, was interviewed on Deccmber 30, 1951 at which time fe advised he has known HiRRY T. MOORE since approxi~ mately 1941 and that the Last time he saw him was at the State Gonvention in Daytona Beach during the morith of November, 1951. said that he had
a few short chats with HOORE at this tine, however, mOOKH never disctissed
any of his future plans with him and only urged hit to keep the branch alive and build up the membership, Insofar as any dissention was concerned at the convention itself, [-_] said that the only question regarding MOORE was that there were insufficient funds for him to continue operating as Executive Secretary, wiich job is a paying job. It was[ recollection that the Na&aCP owed MOORE better than $2,000.00. Along these same lines [_—|stated that MOORE was not. reelected as they had abolished the job of Executive Secretary.
Concerning MOORE's activities in the NAsCP within the last few weeks,[__—dJrecalled reading in-a newspaper where MOOR and four obher ine dividuals had gone to Tallahassee, Florida to see Governor WARREN. AS
recalled, they were concerned with the bombings in Miami as well as the Groveland case. Other than that L_] stated he was unaware of MOORE's activities except that he did travel about the State and was Located ‘in West Palm Beach where his wife taught school.
referred to ‘well as Lawyer of Orlando and
the NAACP, as individuals who would possibly know MOO2R!s aobivibies within the past few weeks.
a local. Daytona Beach Attorney as
4, teletype was directed December 31, 1951 to the Birmingham Office, >which is the headquarters for Ln order that she might be inter- viewed concerning HOORK's activities,
stated that he was unaware of any threats upon MOORR's life or any enemies he might have incurred in conjunction with his NAscP activities.
AsL____ explained, it was his understanding that MOORE was very weli Liked everywhere he went,
|__| appeared in the room during the interview with her husband and volunteered the fact that she had read iin a newspaper recently
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. b6 b7C FRG: dhS MH LA-270
where a special committee of the NAACP had visited Governor WARREN in con~ nection with the University of Florida case. As [i recalled,
from Tampa, Florida; Attorney[_]from Jacksonville, Florida; a Miami newspaper reporter and MOORE actual ly called on Governor WARREN, could offer no information insofar as possible suspects in this case, enemies of MOORE, etc.
member of the NASACP and of the local chapter, was interviewed on Decem-
ber 30, 1951 at which time he advised he has been acquainted with MOO“ since 19,1, having worked with him in the Brevard County area when he lived in and was a Pastor at Melbourne, Florida.
stated he last saw and talked with MOOs% at the State conventi on held in Daytona Beach, however, their discussion was mainly con- cerning the building up of the chapter and nothing was mentioned as to wOoRE's future plans.
[__——__ijadvised that he had been to Mims on Wednesday afternoon to view the scene at which time he talked with a colored man, whose nam he did not know but whom he felt he could recognize and that this individual told him MOORE had received a note warning him to get out of town. This cOlored iman further advised[_ that he, in turn, had advised MoONm that he had best get out of town, however, MOORE merely indicated “he was going to have Christmas dinner and passed it off at that. [| _Jwas unable to describe this particular individual other than the fact he was a lifelong resident of Mims, approximately 55-56 years old, who apparently was a very close friend of the MOORH family and who, as he recalled, was dressed at the time in khaki shirt and pants. - said he was coliinge to the funeral ab Kims on Tuesday and would make every effort to locate this particular in- dividual so that he might in turn be interviewed by the FRI.
[ stated that MOOwR had no emenies > t© his knowledge, and as a matter of fact, was well liked everywhere he went.
[_| stated that MOORE traveled widely throughout the state and always operated alone, It was his recollection that HOORE had been Living in West Palm Beach where his wife taught schools [[___—|jstated he had no suspects and had no ideas as to who might. have perpetrated the crime,
a en of te NAACP was interviewed on Decenber 30, at which time he advised he has
~ 15 -
b6 DTIC
known MOORE for approximately 22 years, Accordingto[ __|he, until eight years ago, lived in Mins, Florida.
stated that the last tine he saw MOOKR was at the State convention of the NAACP but never did have a chance to talk to hin.
[advil sed that to his knowledge MOORE had no enemies, he knew of no " suspacts or threats but it was his belief that the party who had per- petrated this crime had come out of Lake County. His reason for this was the fact that HOORB had been pushing the Groveland case.
[_|suggested that his brother,[— sd whoo presently
lives in Mims, Florida, be intervievied as he was certain that was well acquainted with the MOORE family and might possibly have some Informtion,
— 16.
b6 bIC CPA:msf
MM 444270 Th owing investigation was conducted by Special Agents CE on December 30, 1951.
BASIS: her daughter ore and son-in~law were interviewed in viéwoo e fact they reside
approximately 200 yards southeast of the MOORE residence.
SHAH
advised that on the night of the explosion
December 25, 1951, she had gone to bed at approximately 9:30 PM, She said that the noise of the explosion did awaken her but that she did not get up to find out where the explosion came from, She said that shortly after the explosion one of her relatives came over to see if she was alright is, relative had thought that the[__]house had exploded,
sald that shortly after the relative came over they found out that the MOORE house had been biown up. She said that she did not | go over to the house but that her daughter [and her husband
had gone over to the house,
Stated that she had seen nothing suspicious in their neighborhood and stated she could not furnish any information as to who might have caused the explosion, .
She also advised that no strangers had been to fer house inquiring about the residence of MOORE, ,
- 17 -
CPA:smsf MM ‘2,,~2'70
the following investigation was conducted by Special Agents and o_o on December 30, 1951, BASIS:L__Jand[>———~—SCSC_ J were interviewed because they were neighbors of the MOORE's,
TIE
and S—sadvised that they were at their residence and in bed at the time of the explosion at the MOORE residence, explained that she is a[_ sof the MOORE family, They also stated that they did not observe any suspicious activity in the neighborhood previous to the time of the bombing of the MOORE residence, They also advised that no inquiries had been made of them at their residence or elsewhere as to the location of the MOORE residence, they stated that they have heard rumors to the effect that inquiries had been made at the[_____]residence as to the location of the MOORE residence, but such.rumors are completely unfounded. They further related that immediately following the explosion they both dressed and went over to the MOORE residence. They said that when they arrived there they found out that the MOOREs had left for the hospital at sanford, said that he was the first one at the scene other than the inmediate family and that about 15 minutes after he arrived the two[ sd boys came up, He estimated that there was about 25 minutes from the time of the explosion to the time when the boys arrived, .
CPA:msf
~ MM AL~270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents and on December 30, 1951,
BASIS: Personal correspondence and effects of victim HARRY T, MOORE indicate that he received mail at Post Office Box 4, Mims, Florida,
sea
LI, i at Mims, Florida, in the absence of advised that he assists[
in handling the mail at Mims. [| stated that to his personal. knowledge HARRY T. MOORE and his family have received mil at Post Office Box 4, at Mims, Florida for many years, He explained that Post Office Box 4 was rented a number of years ago by A. W. SIMMS, deceased father- in-law of victim MOORE, He said that the MOORE family being relatives of the SIMMS family have utilized the box for many years.
[_| advised that he was personally acquainted with victim MOORE. He said that MOORE came in every two or three months to receive his mail adding that it is his, understanding that MOORE has for sometime been spending his time principally away from Mims, Florida, He advised that the last time he saw MOORE was approximately 3 months ago, He also stated that no inquiries were mde at the Post Office as to the activities of MOORE or the location of the MOORE’ residence.
[ also advised that MOORE!'s mail hid been of the routine type and he did not notice anything suspicious in the mail received by MOORE,
[__—_—sd|jfurther stated that he does not have any infomation as to the identity of the persons responsible for the bombing of the MOORE residence nor does he have any informtion as to the activities of MOORE or any information as to possible suspects in the bombing,
é
~ 19 ~
bTC
TMi: JMS MM Ah-270
The_ following investigation was conducted by Special agent[ es
1 On December 31, 1951 ANNTE ROSALEA MOORE was interviewed at 628 Dummit Street, Titusville, Florida, where she was residing and family since the bombing of her parentts residence on December 25, 1951. AUNTIE ROSALEA furnished the following information regarding her, her parents! and paternal grandmother's activities since December 19, 1951.
On Wednesday, December 19, 1951 at approximately 7:30 PM ANNIP ROSALEA MOORE arrived at Mims, Florida by bus from Ocala, Florida. ghe was met at the bus station by her mother, HARRIETT MOORR, who was driving the family automobile, a 1950 four~door navy blue Ford, 1951 license 6-14,662,. ANNI ROSALEs and her mother left the bus station and drove out to the MOOSE residence located in Mims, Florida. ANNIE ROSALEA was greeted by her father, HARRY T, MOORE, who was the only person at jome at the MOORE residence at that time and who had not accompanied HAkiimw?T?T to the bus station to meet ANNIR ROSALE.,
HARRY and HARRIETT MOORE had already eaten dinner but they pre~ pared a meal Yor A¢NNIE ROSALEA, After ANNIE ROSALEa had eaten her dinner, she, her father and mother, left the MOORE residence and went to Titusville, Florida where her father spoke to ‘a colored man concerning some repairs to be done to the roof of the MOOR residence. ANNIE ROSALE, advised she does not know the colored man although she is of the opinion her mother is acquainted with him, ANNIE ROSALEA, her father and mother, after speaking to the colored man, thereafter returned to the MOORE residence and a short time after their return they all, retired.
On Thursday, December 20, 1951 aNNIE ROSALEn after having break~ fast, drove the family automobile to the Post Office in Mims, Florida for mail, thereafter returning to the MOORR residence. Her father engaged him- self working in the grove and spent sometime reading and writing in the MOORE home.
it approximately 3 P.M.[ Cid nnd iis wife, of ANNIE ROSALEA and nearby residents, came to the MOORE residence and arter a short visit left. After dinner ANNI ROSALRA and her mother, HARRIETT, left
home in the fami Lille to send a telegram to Alita and ner mother lett HARRY T, MOORK at the MOORE residence and at that
time he was occupied reading and writing. Upon their return from sending the
~ 20 -
3
cad
bé owe " ‘FEU: dhS MA Ad,-2'70 telegram he was still writing and a short time thereafter they all retired , for the night.
On Friday, December 21, 1951 ANNIB ROSSLEA, her mother HARRIETT, and her father HARRY T. MOORE, remained at the MOORE residence during the
morning and early afternoon, where her father engaged -in reading ard writ- ing.
At approximately 9:15 P.M, ANNIE ROSALEA and her parents drove over to the residence of inasmuch as they were expecting a long distance telephone call from in Washington, D.C.
at approximately 1O P.M, that nig plans having been made for the call to
2 be made to the residence of s When the MOORES arrived at the residence they were met by and his wife, and the daughter age 16, along with and and and The expected telephone call from
was not received.
While the persons present were awaiting the telephone call,[l J Lj ieft and went to a church in Mims, Florida, where he met ANNIE SIMS and brought her to the[__ J residence. ANNIE SIMNS is the maternal grand mother of ANNIE ROSALEA MOORE. At approximately 10:30 P.u.[- Jana nd and ANNIE SIMIS left the[[_]residence,.
HaRRY T. MOORE also Jeft_at that time to go to the SIMMS residence to get the telephone number of [ anuicieeriadadeaiial ANNIE, SIMMS having stated she had the telephone number at the SIMMS residence and would furnish it to
MOORE.
Within a very short tame MOORE returned to the[_]residence
with a telephone number but without the exchange number and therefore the MOORES were unable to endeavor to contact calling themselves from Mims, Florida. The MOORS remained a e residence
until approximately 11 P.M. when they returned to their home.
On Saturday, December 22, 1951 ROSa aLBERTa MOORE, the mother of
HaRRY T. MOORE, arrived from Jacksonville, Florida in Mims, Florida and came to the MOORE residence in a taxicab. She arrived a short time before noon. ANNTE ROSALEA and her mother, HAaRRIRTT, left the MOORE residence a short time after noon and went to Titusville in the MOORE family car to shop. HaRRY and his mother remained at the MOORE residence. ANNIE ROSALRsa and her mother also went to the Post Office in Mims, Florida and at that time she received
a number of Christmas cards addressed to members of the MOORE family. HARRY
JON
ernie wot ~ .
Tn
b6 THs dus b7c MR Ad 2°70 ~ .
T. MOORE engaged himself during the day reading and writing and spending time in his crange groves.
Also during Saturday afternoon MOORE and [Ls went to Titus- ville, Florida to pick up a Frigidaire vhich had been shipped to MOORE. They brought the Frigidaire out to the MOORH residence in truck and MOORE and |then went for two more colored men to assist them in un~ loading the Frigidaire. [7 _Jand also arrived and assisted in unloading the Frigidaire. The MOORS family remained at home that night and retired ab approximately 10 o'clock.
On Sunday December 23, 1951 MOORE left his residence at approx. mately 11230 Ai. to attend the St. JAMES Missionary Baptist Church in Mins, Florida, ANNIT ROSALms MOOK carried her father to the church in the MOORE family car and returned thereafter to the HOORE residence. At ap- proximately 11:15 P.M, she returned to the gt. James Missionary Baptist Church, picked up her father and together they went to Titusville to send another telegram to in Washington, D. CG. While ANNIG HOSALEA was preparing the telegram in the telegraph office, her father walked over to the Post Office and mailed a letter and then returned to the family car wnere he was awaiting her after she had sent the telegram,
On Sunday afternoon and Sunday night the MOORE family remained at their residence and with the exception of a short visit from[_ Jand— J there was no other activity and they retired at approximtely 9 P.M,
MOORE occupied himself during the afternoon and late evening wri ting and reading,
On Monday, December 24, 1951 ANNIZ ROSALHA amd her mother, HARRIS HTT, drove to Titusville to shop, then to Mims, Florida to get the mail. During the morning and afternoon HARRY MOOR was working in his grove banking trees,
On Monday ore [saa colored men, harrowcd the grove,.
The MOORE family remained at home during the afternoon and retired as usual at approximately 9 P.M,
On Tuesday, December 25, 1951 ANNT® ROSi:LE. MOONE drove to Mims, Florida in the family car and picked up the mail. She and her mother then drove to Titusville to see if a drug store was open but not finding one open they returned home. The MOORE family remained at home until approximately
a
TEM: JMS MM 44-270
4 P.it, when MOORE, his mother, his wife and daughter ANNIE ROSALHA, drove
over to the residence to have Christmas dinner. and
and and his wife
resent along with Gaughter of and
were
4 short time before 4:20 P.i], ANNIE ROSALEA returned to the MOORE residence to obtain some whipped cream from the refrigerator. She unlocked the front door and walked’ straight through the hall, obtained the cream and walked back down the hall, locked the front door and returned to the |__| residence, She did not notice anyone present around the house or anything Suspicious.
AG approximately 4:20 P.M. the group assembled at the[— __]resi- dence and had their Christmas dinner. At approximately 7 P.M, the MOORE family returned to their residence in the family car. ANNIT ROSATE, did not get out of the automobile but immediately returned to the [[__] residence for the purpose of obtaining some comic books. She then returned home and sat down in the living room with her mother, father and grandmother.
She was seated on the settee and after a short time she fell asleep, She woke up after a short time and noticed that her mother and grandmother had gone to their bedrooms. She saw her father, who was still dressed, in the front bedroom where her parents sleep. She observed her father as he walked out of the bedroom into the living room and at that time ANNIE ROSALRa got up and went to her room. She saw her father as he turned out the lights in the living, dining room and kitchen and also as he returned to the front bedroom where he and his wife slept. She read for a short time and then turned out the lights in her room,
at the time she turned out the light in her room she noticed that the light in her parentg¢ bedroom had also been turned off. She got into bed and just as she was falling off to sleep a terrific explosion occurred, ghe jumped up and started calling her mother and not receiving an answer she reached up and turned on the bedlamp, then she immediately got up and turned on the overhead light in the bedroom. During the time she was doing all this she was sbill calling for her mother. After she turned on the bedroom lights she began to call her grandmother who was sleeping in the next bedroom. The Bedroom in which ANNIE ROSALEA slept was between the bedrooms of her parents and that of her grandmother,
A few moments after she called her grandmother, her grandmother
Z ~ 23 ~
3
¥ + a Kg aa, 4 . 5 s ; 7 - * a a ¥ “ . $: a * f
TEM: JMS pie “it hh-2'70
answered and at that time she noticed that her grandmother had left her room and was entering ANNIE ROSALH;'s room. ANNIE ROSALEA then left her bedroom and went into the dining room, turned on the kitchen light and went to the back door and began to shout the words "Help" and ! and[ tft,
She was calling for and who reside a short distance from the MOORE residence. She then came back to the living room, turned on the porch light and she and her grandmother began removing
boards which had fallen on HARRIETT MOORE, ANNIR’ ROSAIEA took off two boards
and then rushed_back to back door of the house and again began to shout for > Jara Ld
She returned to the living room and a few moments afterwards [i and drove up to the side of the house. {ANNIE ROSSLEA then went back to her bedroom to obtain some clothes, got her motherts suit case and put on a house coat. By that time her parents, HARRY and Ha RRIETT,
had been taken out to an automobile by[[ ___Jand ANNIE nOSalf and her grandmother then got into an automobile and left for the residence,
a
Upon arriving at the] residence ANNIE ROSALRa gob out of the car in which she was riding, entered the[ _] residence and helped dress her mother. |
ANNTE ROSSLEA, and along with z0t in a Plymouth automobile at the residence and drove to the
residence, [7 Cid and —C—C*idt ere: Left at the residence
and thereafter ANNI ROSALEA along with[L__Jana drove
to Titusville for the purpose of calling the Sheriff's Office. In Titus-
ville they located a Highway Patrolman and[~_—Ssdand([L________]spoke to the patrolman, The patrolnan told them that the mtter had already been re- orted to the Sheriff's Office and thereafter ANNIB ROSALEa,[[_____] and
r — |returned to the MOORE residence.
Upon arriving at the[L___Jresidence immediately following the
removed Haney MOORE and placed him in the back seat Buick sedan, MOORE's mother was also placed in the back seat of then placed MOORH's wife, HaRRIETT, in the front seat of the wife[__] along with got into the front seat of the Buick and drove immediately to the hospital in Sanford,
ANNIE ROSALEA stated that she is not acquainted with the activities of her father immediately preceeding Decamber 19, 1951. She stated that he
~ 2h -
TEM s JMS MAI LA 240
did not have any visitors other than relatives and neighbors, whose names have previously been set forth. She also advised that her father did not discuss his work with the NAACP with her althoush she was fully aware of
the fact he was very active in this regard. She said she mes not recall that He nade Sny STADSHENE i odicat ite y_ Statement indicating that hewbelieved.bis, life was in
danger or that he had received any threats, She described his activities during the time immediately, preceeding, his, death as.consisting principally
of reading, writing and working in his orange groves. aL nao eat DN TE a IETS ASC Ne Ei cn nM A, SiR £
responsible for her father's death, She pointed out that the explosion came as a complete surprise to her,
She said she does not have any suspects or ideas as to the person
b6 b7C
RES smsf MM 44-270
i j i ion was cormducted by Special Agents and with the asenstance of States an
of Brevard County, Florida on December 30, 1951, through January 1, 1952,
BASIS: To determine what physical evidence if any existed at the crime scene.
SHH
A minute search of the area immediately to the north of the victim's home extending for approximately 90 yards was made in an effort to Locate any physical evidence in the form of fragments which may have been connected with instant Pomtbang. Nothing of value to this investigation was found.
Thereafter all of the debris under the victim's home was raked and shoveled out and sifted with a one-fourth inch mesh screen, That which remained was gone through handful by handful again for any evidence connected with instant bombing. In addition the bombing crater was dug out for a depthof approximately two and one~half feet and a width of approximately three and one~half feet in diameter, This digging was sifted and gone through for the same purpose, The victims entire house was gone through minutely for any further evidence conne cted with instant case,
As a result of this search several fragmentary pieces.of what appeared to be a test tube and a-solid rubber washer which appcared to be the holder for that test tube were found, There was also found a small quantity of dust which was taken from the sill immediately above the bomb blast.: There was also found a small metal clip, a small steel spring, a three faot length of cotton rope with yellow and purple discoloration and several fragments of what appeared to be a medicine bottle and its cork. <All of this material in addition to a small diameter glass tube approximately two and one~half inches in length and a small rubber washer which appears to fit the tube were sent to the FBI Laboratory.
USE »
MM hh—270
In connection with the crime scene search it should be noted that Assistant States Attorney HUBERT GRIGGS obtained from the victim's home on the night of the bombing December 25, 1951, a small overnight suitcase and a zipper type brief case belonging to the victim HARRY T. MOORE. These were turred over by Mr, GRIGGS to the FBI on - . December 30, 1951. At that time a complete review was made of the contents of both of these items. As a result of this review it was determined from the innumerable pieces of correspondence and paper clippings that the victim HARRY MOORE had been extremely active both in the work of the NAACP and the Florida Progressive Voters League for many years dating back into the early 1930s. For possible pertinents , to this investigation there has been retained a copy of an itinerary of victim HARRY T. MOORE entitled’ "Some Activities of Executive Secretary 1951", for the calendar year 1951 through November 20, 1951, and a copy . of financial statement of the NAACP for the period November 23 - 2h, 1951, consisting of an annual report to the NAACP Convention held November 24, 1951, at Daytona Beach, Florida. This statement indicates © MOORE received a monthly salary of $250 and that the NAACP was indebted to him for salary in the amount of $1883.53 and expenses in the amount of $798.35 or a total of $2,681,88,
These two documents plus several others which may be of possible future pertinence to this investigation are being retained in the Miami file. |
~ 27 -
é}
CPA/TEM:msf
MM L4~270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents and [Jon December 31, 1951. BASIS: ANNIE ROSALEA MOORE advised that on December 2h, 1951, — harrowed the orange groves of her father HARRY T.
MOORE,
» SORE
was interviewed at his residence at Mims, Florida. He stated he was sent to the MOORE residence on December 24, 1951, by his employer [___————sijto harrow the orange groves of HARRY T. MOORE, He stated that when he arrived at the MOORE residence at approximately $:30 AM MOORE was still asleep. He said he began to harrow the grove and was later joined by MOORE who spent his time banking the trees, He also advised that he quit harrowing the grove at 4:30 PM and returned to his residence in Mims. [also stated that’ during the morning and as well as he can recall a short time before noon he nd mechanical trouble with the tractor and MOORE went to advise [L_Jof the difficulty. According to[___la short time thereafter a white mechanic, cD from Mims, Florida came to the MOORE residence and cleaned out the strainer and carborator of the tractor and put it back into operating position, [_]|stated he did not have any discussion with MOORE regarding any subjects other than the work to be done at the grove. He also advised that he does not have any information as to the persons responsible for the bombing of MOORE's residence as well as any informtion as to the activities of HARRY T, MOORE, He stated he does not have any suspects,
Mims, Florida, advised that at noon of » Decenber 23, 1951, MOORE came by the residence and oeeesl | to harrow MOORE's orange grove. hel re that MOORE came to residence alone in MOORE's Ford automobile. [| steted that on the following morning he and[__—__swent to the MOORE residence to
carry out the work requested by MOORE, [____J]stated that he left at MOORE's orange grove with the machinery to harrow the grove,
1’
~ 28
MM 44-270
According to[___| MOORE was still_in bed, [| stated that at noon on December a 1951, MOORE came to residence and stated that was having mechanical difficulty with the tractor
and needed a mechanic, stated that he contacted a white mechanic at Mims by the mme o and askedL__]to go to MOORE!s grove and repair the tractor, tated that he has not seen MOORE Since noon December 2h, 1951. also advised that he does not have any information as to the persons responsible for the bombing of the MOORE residence, He also advised that he does not have any suspects nor does he have any.information concerning MORE!'s activities. He stated that in so far as he knows MOORE was regarded in the commmity as a law abiding citizen and had no enemies,
—~ 29 -
b6 b7C
TEM/CPL:msf hh 270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents andf on December 31, 1951, and January 1, a 3 # BASES: TC dadvised that he had received information that two white men in about July,
1951, had stopped at the Mims Confectionery Store » Mims, Florida
and asked for information as to where HARRY T. MOORE lived,
Pe faawised that persons in th | 7 thes men came in were
en of the Mims Confectionery
Store.
THe
{is the Mims Confectionery Store , advised that during the latter part of July, 1951, two white men.came into
at approximately 9:00 PM and asked where HARRY T. MOORE lived, He said that one of these men described MOORE as being a rich fellow that did not Iave_to work, These two men also referred to MOORE as Professor MOORE, [ stated that he could only remember that one of these men was rather tall and the other was rather Short and heavy set. He could not recall what clothing they were wearing at that time and he did not_see the automobi were riding in, Po sata he remembered tet | ladvised these two men to go to the house of
who is related to MOORE, [ did not know whether or not
these men had gone tol______—sidJhouse, [L___] explained that during the time the two white men were in his store inquiring as to the residence of MOORE, he was occupied behind the counter waiting on customers and therefore did not pay too much attention to the white men, _
advised she was present in the store at the time the two white men entered the store and inquired as to the location of the residence of MOORE. She said that she did not pay very much attention to the white men and therefore does not recall how they were dressed or a description of the two white men other than one was a tall man and the other a short and stout man, She said she recalls the short stout man had on some type of a cap although she is unable to recall t Loti the cap, She also advised that she recalls that
.
~ 30 -
~)
. b6 MM 44-270 b7c
the time the two white men entered and inquired as to the residence of the MOORES, She stated that Jat the time the two white men entered was talking to her regarding the signing of a petition and
she was occupied discussing the matter with him and did not pay very much attention to the two white men, She also advised that she did not see — an automobile nor did she see which direction the two white men went after they left the store,
who resides in the "Hammock Grove" area in Mims, Florida, advised that he was at the Mims Confectionery Store when two white men came in inquiring as to the residence of HARRY T. MOORE, He said that these men had also asked where that "rich professor MOORE lives", They also stated"that Professor MOORE that doesn't have to work and just travels around and has money",
WASHINGTON gave the following description of the two mens: NUMBER ONE MAN
Race White
Height About 6! 11!
Weight About 200 lbs,
Age About hO ©
Hair . Black
Dress Had maroon Long sleeve shirt and
NUMBER TWO MAN
a light tan zipper windbreaker.
Was wearing a large white cowhoy
hat like a "Stetson" and was wearing cowboy boots.
Race White
Height About 5t gt
Weight About 180 lbs,
Age About 45
Dress Was wearing a flannel plaid shirt
with checks of green, brown and yellow, checks were outlined in white lines and the cheeks were approximately
—~ 31 -
b6 b7C
MM 4b~270
three inches square. He was wearing khaki colored pants and a checked plaid red cap, the type worn by hunters,
Peculiarities Had heavy dark beard and needed shaved, Build Heavy
L ee sa that he remembered the shirt that the short man was wearing because he has one just like it. [| __] exhibited
the shirt to Agents, [__aiso advised that he went to the door of the Confectionery Store when the men left and saw them get into a maroon colored automobile which he believed to be a mercury, He said that they drove away from the store in the direction of a house.
said that when the men asked for directions to
Mi (OORE" Ss house he told them that he thought MOORE was living at Daytona Beach, Florida, [J] said tha advised these men to go to the house of who is a relative of MOORE's and lives approximately one-fourth of a mile south of the Mims Confectionery Store said that he did not know whether or not the men went to house, stated that to the best of his memory these two white men had come into the store at about 6:30 PM, He stated that he thought this was too late for anybody to be inquiring about the residence of MOORE and that was the reason why he had not directed them to the MOORE residence. [7 _ J also recalled that MOORE had been in Mims that day but had left tmt night. He said that
approximately two or three weeks later he saw MOORE and told him about the two white men inquiring about his residence. He said that MOORE
gave no indication of knowing who these white men might be. He also -sivisod that Ite, [Jana were in the store at the time these two white men came in, He recalled definitely thatp was there becausel_ sd had a petition that he was trying to get signed by
some of the land owners in that section. He recalled that this petition was in connection with having taxes lowered, said that to the best of his memory no one signed this petition. also advised that he thought that he would recognize the tall man dressed with the cowboy hat if he saw him again, He has not seen these two white men since that time »
~ 32 - | .
~~
bé6 b7C
MM LA-270
General Delivery, Mims, Florida, advised that he was in the Mims Confectionery Store when two vhite-men came in inquiring about MOORE, He could recall only that one of these men was rather tall and that one was rather short and heavy set, He also remembered that someone in the store suggested to these men that they go to the residence off to find out where MOORE Lived, said this occurred during the latter part of July, 1951, at about 8:30 or 9:00 PM. [__]could give no description of the automobile the men were riding in because he stated he did not see the car, [J could not recall how these two men were dressed, [__|stated that he had heard from rumors that the short stocky man who hod been in the Mims Confectionery Store was th of the new truck stop in Mims, Florida. [_ did not know the source of this rumor and could not recall the person woo told him,
Baptish Church at Mims, Florida, stated that he could not remember being
at the Mims Confectionery Store when two white men inquired about MOORE,
He said that he did recall that in about J 951, one white man drove
up in an automobile in front of his, howe and asked where
HARRY T. MOORE lived, [si said he told this white man that he knew
where MOORE lived but could not direct him to the house and suggested that
he ask someone else farther down the street that could give him directions, said that he could not remember what this man looked like nor
could he recall what kind or color car this man was driving. It was
pointed out to[__sd|j that other persons in the Mims Confectionery
Store had stated that he was in that store when the two white men came in
but| | insisted that he did not remember being at the store on
that occasion, L___] stated during the interview that he has been
personally acquainted with MOORE and MOORE's family for approximately
12 years, MOORE having frequently attended church services at the St. James
Missionary Baptist Church, He described MOORE as being a man of great
intellect and leadership and not having any enemies insofar as he knows,
Hach of the above persons interviewed was questioned as to whether or not he has any information as to the Identity of the persons responsible for the hombing of the MOORE residence as well as to information regarding the activities of MOORE or any suspects in the bombing. Each of the persons stated that he does not have any information in thie regerd,
~ 33 —
b6 b7C
BHD: duS ' TH 4)-~270
e following investisation was conducted by Special Agent] and. on January 1, 1952:
BASIS: One of the [dos reporcved to have contacted the Spar Truck Stop at Mims and reported the blast as having occurred at the home of MOORE.
of the Mims Spar Truck Stop advised that on the evening of December 299 1951 sometime between 10:15 and 10:30 P.2. he heard a loud explosion and that thereafter there were-lots of people runing around trying to find out what had happened and the majority of them were stooping at his place_i iring oecause they all felt some gasoline tanks must hay said vhat among those who hed stopped by nis place was accompanied by his brother, who drove up and said they had Located the scene of the explosion at MOCRE%s home and that tney had heard screams coming from the area and that they better call the lav, ‘
[__lsavs that this was the first time he actually knew where the blast occurred_and that he then went to the telephone and called the[ sd at Titusville and told him of the location.
|__| said he ‘ gatr no suspicious cars or individuals in and around Mins during the early afternoon and evening and that during the early evening hours of Christmas night trafiic on UeS. #1 both north and south, was very Light. bo fienex of no enemies that HOORE may have had and had no definite suspects in mind.
~ 3h =
b6
EHD: Jiis MT 2,270
e following investigation was conducted by Special Agents[ | Co en ee on January 1, 1952:
BASIS; ROSA MOORE, victim's mother, reinterviewed for pertinent cetails.
ake
AAs SS}
“yy
ROSA MOORE, mother of victim, reinterviiewed after she had had an opportunity to recover from nervous shock and she advised she had not seen her son for quite a period of time and knew nothing specific concerning his recent activities. She said she had received a letter from her son dated December 4, 1951 mailed from West Palm Beach and also a letter from her son mailed from ins, Florida on December 19, 1951 in which HARRY had said he had arrived at lims, Florida, last night (December 18) and enclosed $10.00 to pay her bus fare from Jacksonville to Muss.
ROSA MOORE said that she arrived at Titusville by train on the afternoon of December 22, 1951 and took a ‘cab to her son?’s home at Mins, She said that subsequent to her arrival she did not question HARRY as to his bmediate past activities nor did he volunteer any information as to where he had been or what he was doting.
She said that on the 23rd of December she covld recall no visitors and ‘that HARRY spent the majority of the day ba king the orange trees in his grovee She said she recalled that either the 23rd or 2ith HARRY was visitec by some vaknown white man who drove up to the house in a car and he apparently honed tae horn and MARRY wont out to greet him. She said that HARRY talked to his for a fow minutes, possibly 5 minutes, and then HARRY came back into the house and his reaction, as she recalls it 9 Was perfectly normal, there WAS NO Oovions indscation of fright or anything to Lead hor to believe the contact uas anything but voutine.
sae said that she and YARRY were the only ones home at the time as his daughter and the mother had sone to Titusville. |
HOSA MOORE said that subseouent to the bombing she had learned from a member of the congregation of the Methodis: Church, which HARRY attended on the 23rd of December, that “HARRY preacned his own funeral at church that sunday", She said that she questioned the member of the congregation, whose name she does not know, as to why such a remark should have been made "and was informed tnat on thet particular Sunday the Pastor asked the congregation
if arr of them had anything to say and HARRY Spoke up and made some sort of a
~ 35 0
RED: HS Pe WBE Ad 270 :
talk wtuieh tne congregation membsyY , upon. reflect tLon, said made her feel TARRY must nave felt thet something was going to happen to him by the nature of nis LOMATICS «
ROSA MOORE said that members of the family and the[__] famils; go to the same church and that
. The mother of the victim said that as best she could recall, there were no visitors at all at the house on Sunday and so far as she can recall no one vent away Prom the house that nizhte
ROSA MOORE said she did not know until a couple of hours prior to dinner time on Christmas day that they wore actually going to eat Christmas dinner at the] and that HARRY came to her before he went to church, annerently on Christmas day, and told his mother that they were planning to have dinner with the She said that she, her son HARRY, his wife and his daughter drove to whe residence from the MOORE house atv approxi~ mately 3 730 P.tl. on Christmas day. She said vpon arrival. thore were about six automobiles around the —“}residenco and she knew ‘cf no individuals presczu, whose names have not already previously been mentioned.
with regard to the actual explosion the mother said that she was lying in. bed just about to doze off when there came a flash of light. She. said that the ceiling reflector for the light seomed to fall to the Moor | prior to the time she hoard the actual blast. She said that there was posi- tivel; no smoke or heavy powder odor immediately after the blast as she got out of bed and walked to the bedroom door which had been completely blasted away by the explosion and that after the light had been turned on she could vor; clearly see HARRY and his wife lying on the mattress amid the dust and Achrise
one said that aft er HARRY and nis wife had been removed from the bedroom, while enroute to the hospital she was riding with HARRY’s head resting on her left shoulder and that every now and then she recalls smelling a "sort of powder odor" 9» novever, she said that immediately following ‘bhe explosion there definitely was no smoke and no heavy power odor.
~~ 36
b6 b7C
BHD: di BM Ad-270
the | investigation was conducted by Special Agents[
and on January 1, 1952:
BASIS: [sd reinterviewed to determine actual date of his departure from Mims.
ses
Levies that he had departed from Mims for New Jersoy on August 21, 1951 and had beon: away from Mims continuously until he rc= turned on November 12, 1951.
f
a AP
EHD: JMS bIc MM A270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents[__]
and on January 1, 1952:
BASIS; Information furnished by[[_] indicating provious
attempt made on MOORE? fest Palm Beach that possibly emanated from
LP ae te Tocre
fea was interviewed by Special Arent [ana is true name i. but he is more commonly known as His occupation is that of a gambler and he travols back and fort
rom New York to :-Florida,
He claimcd that the lest time he had seen MOORE was in February, L951 prior to the time he left to go to New York, He w : . OVE 1 Youndry at Syracuse, New York and resided at
« He said that he returned to Mims, Florida on Decomber Abs 19521 and had not seen MOORE subsequent to that time or prior to the explosion, / Or subsequent to the explosion. ,
He said he formerly was a member of the NAAGP but had not paid his : dues for several years. He said he know of no krom enemies, no close associates and had not heard any rumors regarding eny individuals who might have had a reason to get rid of MOORE. He said he had never had any close conversations with MOORE.
on the afternoon of December 25 » 1951 he, together with
one and another boy, whose first mme is had gone to ,
Winver Garden, Florida and were gambling in and arourd the negro quarters |
on Christmas night. | hen questioned specifically as to whether he had originated the
story concerning the previous threat allegedly made against MOORE at test Palin Beach, he denied he had started the rumor and denieé he had ever hear
sucn_a_story di at any time. He recallcd a conversation with and at a bar in the colored quarters in (oecoa bub hie Said he does not have any reaollection of a story to the effect NORE was threatened
at ilest Palm Beach was ever discussed. |
tn the group at the bar at the time ? Lscussion tas held, he re=
eae: de
EVID: JES MM Ad~270
those were the only boys he could recall by name.
[| said that he had always beon one to mind his ow business and had never attempted to stick his nose in the white man’s business and strongly intimated that even if he had any information concerning the bonbing that he would be hesitant to furnish at for fear of subsequent reprisals.
indicated that he was leaving Titusville on the afternoon of January 1, 1952 and was returning to Syracuse >» New York. '
-*
~ 39 —
THD: Jiis WT Ah-270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent [
[ on danuary 1, 1952: DASIS: ; member of Daytona Beach NAACP,
end a menber of the Daytona Beach branch of the NAACP, said he had knoim HCORE intimately since 1949 and had met MOORE shortly after the rape case ocevrring at Grove~ land during the summer of 1919. Cc said tnat he had talked with MOORE dur- ing the Daytona Beach convention of tice NAACP in November, 1951 and that MOORE had never ab any time told of receiving any threats nor had he ever mencvioned that he had any .nemics and neither had heard of any enemies actually mentioned subsequent to the bombing of HOORE’s home.
With regard to specific incidents which might have beon the under- lying basis for the bombing of MOOR? 2 id that he mew MOORE had written a letter to informing [| that he, MOORE, was doing ovorything he 20 justice was done in the Groveland case. | paid that as far as he knew, MOORE’s lotters had been acknowledged by and that there had never been any indication of any threat contained in them either veiled or otherwise.
L | suggested that of the Progressive Voters League, be interviowed as he sald bhat and MOORE
were vory close. .
L|recalled that about two hours after the explosion on Christmas night he had received a telephone call from NOORE’s daughter > ANNIE, from Titusville telling him that her father’s home had been Dombed and that they had just teken her father to the Sanford Hospital.
[ ] Said he knew that MOORE, as Secretary of the Progressive Youers Loague had transmitted a resolution to Governor FULLER (/ARREN vigor- ously protesting the apppointment of Senator JOHN MATHERS of Jacksonville vO the Supreme Court bench in the State. said that NATHEWS? appointment was soverely criticized by MOORE because "MATHEWS is one who advocated 100% white supremacy"? and who, while serving in the Stato Lcgislature, offered a bill to disfranchiac the negroes. believed that the letter criticizing the HATHEWS appointment was also signed by a of St. Petersburg and he remembers reading the letter in its entirety in eLther the Pittsburgh COURTER or the Tampa RuLiETIN.
-~ 10 -
b6 b7C
WF ays
" fe tt ry,
bIC |
HAD: Jiis MM £d—270
_ [_Jrecalled that during the November meeting of the NAACP in Dastona Beach, WOORE had come to his, L____] office arlin a more or less Mbull session, MOORE had spoken of some of luis past activities, among thon, sald, was mention of the fact that MOORE had been successful
li securing the appointment of a negro deputy shoriff in Broward County o HOORE mentioned that| ~~ _]had promised that he would appoint a negro deputy and that such a deputy was appointed somotime in 1951.
L|vecalicd that while MOORE was attending Bethune-Cooknan College an. incident occurred at a beer joint in the Tomoka River section, near
Ormond Beach, when some colored boy had been cus up by a white man and recalled that MOORE had actively investicated that incident urine Lnvestisation had talked with iin Ormond Beach, and also wit said that this incident occurred several years ALOe
2
at DeLand.
[__ said he knew of mo information concerning MOORE's activities subsequent to his departure from Daytona Beach in November » L951, and that he knew that most of the time NCORE traveled alone, but occasionally his wife accompanied hin.
[_feaviscs that he had represented the defendants in the rape case au lavares during their first trial and that he believed Mbhat ali officials in Lake County held the NAACP in contempt of *
recailal that MOORE :had headed a mass mecting in Orlando ono month after the rape case was precipitated in Groveland which was in July or fugust, 1949. [ lrocatied that MOORE was to meet THURGOOD MARSHAL in Orlando on November 9, 1951 in connection with a meeting held there on be- hal? of VALTER LEE IRVIN and SAMUBL SHEPHERD and thet MARSHAL had wired HOOKE to meet him there and MOORE had. wired HARSHAT, that he would be therc. However, [___] said that MCORG failed to show up ab this meeting on November 7th and failed to notify MARSHAL that he was unable to come.
; [] said that about t weeks ag NAAGP Counsel from New York City had visited in Daytona Beach and told that the
NAACP boys were “wondering if MOORE hadnt gotten cold feet? because he had prom.sca to meet MANSHAL in Orlando and had failed to show.
with vegard to the dissention in the ranks of the Naacp, [said that the Birmingham and Tampa groups felt that MOORE was "not militant enough" and was "not able to stir the peopie™ and that his NAACP wort was lagsings He said that there was no personal animosity toward HMOOWE and thet
~ hi -
EHD + JHS MM Ad-270
the dissention was “just a political situation within the NAACP. LJ suggested that @ member of the NAACP tho lives at Eatonville (near Orlando, Florida) be interviewod for information con- - a P 5 ° a 4 * “ . cerning MOORE as[__]is supposed to have been very close to the victim. —
lie also suggested the name off Orlando as one who might be able to furnish information.
re @ @ " bé
BIC
EHD: JUS MY LL-270
The following Dieatete was conducted by Special Agent [
[5 On January 1, 1952: BASIS: MOORE reportedly treated by[—s=~é‘“—*~*~*~SCiWYCPSVLLLIc,,
Wlorida.
*
Te
ti aareeeiinieraaa advised she had known & and his wife,
oumber Of yoars ou d had no recent contacts with theme She said She saw MOORE at the conmencement exercises at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach in June » 1951 but not to talk with and again saw MOORE at the NAACP convention at Daytona Beach in November > 195L and again did not have any conversation with hin.
*. = *
_ _She recalled that MOORE had been treated by her husband while he was enrolled at Bethune-Cookman College as a student but 2a search of the
last three years records failed to disclose the specific date or dates which MOORE was seen by .
vas unavailable for intervicw and his wife advised that the had actually had very, very little contact with MOORE ang that SNC,
by virtue of her civic duties was more familiar ' with MOORE’s activities: then her husband.
With regard to MOORE’s recent activities, [] said she was unable to be of much value because MOORE lived down the State.
she said that in conversation with other members of the colored civic groups in Daytona Beach, the opinion of this Group was very strong that "sone Russian sympathizers who wanted to make the UeS. Look bad had murdered HARRY MOORH." She said that the civic groups thought that the killing of MOORE was of deep origin within the Russian sympathizers ranks and that they would "zo to any means to make America look bad." She Said that’ the Communist Party had been trying extremely hard, she knew, to infiltrate the NAACP but that as far as she lmow, the NAACP had been successful. in keeping them out.
She knew of no enemies or Suspects which MCORE may have had.
wD ¢ dkts Wit Af—270
240 appvarci ay the scenc ropresetuing on tc disc]
PNCGOL 5 vhet it policy En the process ifaw vee ‘le Kil
Svatoucne, that there
be
Orta: insurance comoarny, tac naic oF whieca ne close and ned been recuessed to conducy an investigation r
ASAG vie ite BURG by Florida Governor’s tO G70 ‘oePoct trat onc ned
tae cay Pollowiny instank pa. DANG end sta
no's
ES
ogerdin:; in coanection with a vethor lerse insurasice
of prepares on by the comnairy on the lifc of victir Advis OWUCVOR 4 zccording %O
had DOr no parmonus rede on instant nolicy.
VES
Efforts to locate jet the se one or arcund Mins, Plorida, vo- sulocn. negatively, thererorc on Januery 1 » 952 wuobile, dr tcletpo, Was rocucsted t¢ invervicw [Jin Pensacola for the purpose of ascertainine the ug of the insuranec COMET’ NO Lropxresonyc’ «
be b7Cc
b6 bTC
OTHER Court Order
By teletype dated Jamary 2, 1952 Mobile aivised that L__Js: stated that the insurance corman; is 2 Signent of bis inarina~ tion and does not exist, the pretoxt bein: used to sain cnbyy into the case
wicows meling known his real purnose. [_eontinced stating thet he had no inwJonne, vdon, suspects or . Ves > ate eat * + * a “= * * 5 Leads oF vals vO ‘bre Lave stise LLon but © osoresscy pleasure thes the PSI anc “wuoOoNe” GConoval were interestec an the case. le Po lanboored tO report to tue Wl amy inferration reecived ii tis future.
b6 bic
b7Cc
thi Ad-270
the following investigation was conducted by Special Agent [fe on January 1, 1952:
BASIS: [ _ntstcadied. funeral of MOORE, January 1,
19526
advised she had
knoim uCORE Tor @ considerable period or time and hag abtended his funcral on
January 1, 1952. She said that she could furnish no informetion of value
concorning suspects, etc. Her husbend,[ |] was not home at the time tinls intervicw.
?
Ox
b6 b7c HAD : Jlis Mi hLh-270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent[_ on January 1 and 2, 1952: .
basis: [og ‘Daytona Beach, ‘la .furnished copy of book "Wo Charge Genocide? distributed by Civil Rights Congress at church service for HARRY T. MOORE. also volunteered infor~ mation concerning white man making inowiries in neighborhood of and attitude of colored people to questioning re bombing.
4s att
vol= untarily contacted Special a = January 1, 1952 and furnished a copy
of the book "ie Charge Genocide! which he obtained from the members of the Civil Rights Congress who were distributing this book to persons attending the church services at the funeral of MOMRE.
On January 2, 1952[__woluntarily contacted Special Agent at Daytona’ Beach and said that in a conversation with on tue afternoon of January 1, 1952 he had been told by her that some unknow white mon, allegedly from Jacksonville, had been dow in the neighborhood of the [| incuiring about somebody doing washing. The man was described as a short, bowelogged man and CJ felt that sJshould be vedinterviiewed for soxe information concerning this white man.
[| a member of the Daytona Beach NAACP, said that he kmew. that nan Members of the colored race were hesitant to furnish information to the PSL concerning this matter for fear of reprisal but he said that he was goin: to do everything within his power to impross upon the colored pcople that thoy could talc to the FBI freely without fear of future action end that NC,
<olt that the FBI was doing an honcst and sincere job in investigat-~ ing the MOORE death. He said he had but high praise for the work of the FST -
and intended to let his feelings become knowm to other members of the colored PACS »
~ hb ~
b6 bic
TEM/CLP :msf
MM ht~270 .
The following investication was conducted by Special Agents and[— —~—“—;™™C* ns Janay 1, and 2, 1952,
BASIS : [white being interviewed on another matter on January 1, 1952, advised that on approximately December 18, or 19, he was driving a tractor on the old
Dixie Highway and saw two men in a green pick-up truck parked in an orange grove in front of HARRY T. MOORE's home. The truck had been backed into the grove on the east side of the highway and was facing directly toward the MOORE home. — said that he identified one of the men in this truck as being the " boy", son of
He also observed standing in grove near where the green truck was parked,
Mims, Florida, advised that he could not remember seeing the green pick-up truck parked in the Orange grove located in front of the MOORE house east of the old Dixie Highway. He explained tht they had been working on the grove and that he md not paid any attention to what was going on there,
of DUNN's Fruit Stand, Mims, Florida, advised that he had Lived in and around Mims all of his life, He said that on about December 18, or 19 he had contacted[____— sd to _see about purchasing some tangerines, He said that on one morning he met in the orange grove located in front of MOORE's house on the east side of the old Dixie Highway. [advised that this was about 11:00 AM and that he got into truck and they drove around the grove looking for some tangerines said that_to the best of his recollection he had only net[___[on one morning. advised that he had no information as to who might have bombed the MOORE residence.
Texaco Dealer, Titusville, Florida, advised that
he owned some orange groves near the residence of MOORE, He stated that he was not acquainted with MOORE and had never known until the bombing that
MOORE had resided near his property. [____]recalled that shortly before Christmas he had met [iin an orange grove near Mims, He explained
that the purpose of this meeting was to sell some tangerines.
~ Ly —
b6 MM 44-270 b7c
He stated thatL__]had been parked in a green pick-up truck. The truck
had been parked in a large grove located east of the old Dixie Highway
near the MOORE's residence. [ __|said that to the best of his recollection he had metL____]somet-iime in the morning but could not remember the exact time. He also advised that during the time he and[__|were driving through the grove they had not seen any suspicious persons or activities in that Vicinity. rd could not furnish any information as to who might lve bombed the MOORE's residences
~ 8 ~
b6 DTC
TEM/CPA :msf
MM L270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents and[ don damuary 2, 1952.
BASIS: [si aadvised on January 1, 1952, that he had heard rumors that the shorter man that inquired at the Mims Confectionery Store as to the residence of MOORE was
the manager of the new truck stop in Mims, Florida,
itch
{| id of the Spar Station #76, Mims, Florida, advised that he een a ab Location for one year. He stated that prior to coming to Mims, Florida he had resided for about six months in Orlando, Florida. He stated further that on the night of the explosion he was working at the station and heard the noise. He said that at first he thought that the Blue Goose Packing House at Mims had blown up. At about midnight on December 25, 1951,L___] said that one of his employees, reported for work and had told him that his cousin's house had been blown up. [__|stated that this was the first he heard of the explosion, oo advised further that he did not know MOORE and did not know where MOORE lived. [L____]denied going to the Mims Confectionery Store with another person inquiring for the residence of MOORE, He stated tmt to the best of his knowledge no one had ever asked him where MOORE lived.
[_] listed the following employees at the Spar Station:
is brother)
[_Jwas unable to furnish any inform tion as to the identity of the persons that blew up the MOORE residence,
~ 19 -
BUD: JUS EAT Ad 270
, b7C
the following investigation was conducted by Special Agent [| and Assistant Special Agent in Charge We W. BURKE on January ay 19523
BASIS: fd associate of NOORE’s, reported thet[__] [ of the Mims Citrus Exchange had sometime ago made remarks concerning MOORE to the effect “he ought to have his neck >roien'?
or some similar renark.
whose father
owns a packing nouse at
ifins, Florida, advised he had know MOORE for a period of 10-12 years and that he nad heard of MOORE’s activities with regard to itis work in the NAACP and despite the fact MCORE had lived in this Vicinity for 20 years or move,
nad had no contact with MOORE until the
summer of 1950, date not re-
called, when MOORE contacted] and requested that he be furnished a
list of all the colored employees employed bi
at the Packing House.
= said he questioned MOORE as to the use to which he intended to make of this list of employees and when MOORE told him that he desired to use the names iin some Ped es his NAACP work and his work in the Pro-
gressive Voters League, such a list.
said that he told MOORE he could not givo him
[__Jsaia that MCORE’s contact with him was most agreeable and nowt
unpleasant in any way, theb they had no wo
bly indicate animosity on the part of
rds ab any time which could poss-
either man.
L) saia that he had not secon MOORE for almost one year and no had no information regarding any Suspects, knew of no known enemies and had hever heard that any of the local people had nade any threats against MOORE. of the fact MOORE had lived in this
concluded by saying that in vic
area for a period of 20 years he did not b
clieve that the job was local.
-
Ls owmer of a packing house and Le or oe the Mins Citrus Exchange, advised that he hed acwvally only How or MOORE for a period
never had any versonal contact with HOORE at any time. He advised he had heard during the past severak years
of cight or nine years and that ho had
some of his colored employees, whose names he
activities among the nogroes and
did not vecall, speak of MOCRE’s
: a Said that he gathered from this hearsay information that MOORE"uas agitating among the negroes.
[| said that he had never made eny cifort to contact MOORE with
~ 50 -
BHD: JLis iit Ld-270
refard to his activities and had never had any disagreement with any of his employees concerning HOORE*’s activities.
[_] adnitted that he was a former member of the Texas Night Riders and also a former member of the KU KLUX KLAN bub he said that many years ago he dropped. out of the KKK*because it got too rotten.*
said ne knew of no KKK activity in Brevard County and had never heard of any within the area of Sanford, Florida. He said, however that he had read in the Florida papers concerning alleged KKK activity around Orlando, but said he knew none of the members of the Klan in that area and he felt that had there been any agitation on the part of the Klan concerning MOORE, particularly within Brevard County, that he would have been in a position to learn of such activity.
[| said that he did not believe it was a local. job and he thinks that the bombing was “a professional idea’ possibly engineered by the Communists or Communist sympathizers in an effort to make this country, and particularly the State of Florida, look bad in the eyes of the world.
[ said that he had been a resident of this erea for 25 years and personally did not believe that any local individuals vould resort to such tactics.
[_ Jadmittea that he had been contacted recently by an old colored man out of Orlando associated with some Good Neighbor organisation and that
had solicited a $25.00 donation to further his, [____] work in promoting good relations among the colored laborers in the citrus industry.
[ admitted that he may have made a remark to [ or some. other person or persons regarding MOORE to the effect that VHOORE ought to have his butt kicked to get him straightened out.” [7 said that while he had made such a remark it was a remark that was made without any thought of causing any harm to come to HOORE and he said that if he had had any reason whatsoever to disagree with MOORE that he would have met him face to face and not in the cowardly manner in which MOORE was murdered.
[ said that he knew of no known enemies which MOORE may have had anc had never heard that MOORE had received any threats of any- kind «
- 51 ~
b6 ~ b7C
FFMsmsf
MM 44-270
; follows. investigation was comlucted by Special Agents and[] on January 2, 1952.
BASIS: Reinterview with Mrs. HARRIETT MOOKE, victim, to ascertain the exact movements of the victim HARRY T. MOORE during the week from December 19, through December 25, 1951, and also to determine whether the glass fragments obtained | at the scene of the explosion and the heavy rubber washer which appeared to be of the type designed to hold a test tube were familiar to HARRIETT MOORE and whether she and her husband had anything of that type around the house, a we ierls . Upon arrival at the Sanford Memorial Hospital, it was learned by the Agents that Mrs. MOORE had suffered a relapse at approximtely
4:00 AM the above_date, Accordingly, before interviewing Mrs. MOORE the gents conbacted[]the family physician in Sanford,
advised that he was called to the hospital at spproximately 4.300 AM and determined that Mrs, MOORE's blood pressure had dropped approximtely 50 per cent and her pulse was very weak, He said his diagnosis was that a blood clot had formed in her lungs and had found its way to a main artery or vein and was blocking the blood flow through her system. He said at the persent time Mrs. MOORE had about a fifty fifty chance of surviving. If her system is able to absorb the shock of the blood clot her chances of survival will be good,
advised that it wuld be perfectly alright to interview HARRIETT MOORE for a short period of time and he accompanied the Agents to the hospital and stood by while the interview was being conducted. In view of her condition the-.interview was limited to approximately 15 minutes,
Mrs, MOORE was shown the glass fragments and the heavy rubber washer and was quite positive that her husband had never had anything Similar to a test tube around the house. She said she was quite familiar with what a test tube is as she had taken chemistry in college and to her knowledge she had never seen anything resembling a test tube, :
MM 44~270 b6 In this connectionL____land[L_si“‘(‘(‘éTOC@&S bI7C [and ANNIE ROSEALEA MOORE, the daughter, and Mrs. SIMMS, the mother, were all at the hospital and were shown the heavy rubber washer and picces of glass which appeared to lve possibly been part of a test tube, All of these relatives said that to the best of their knowledge the articles were definitely foreign to the MOORE home and that they had never seen around the house anything resembling a test tube,
HARRIETT MOORE informed the Agents that they arrived iin Mims from lake Park at approximately 11:00 PM 12/18/sLand drove imme diately to their home. A few minutes after arriving they both went to the Post. Office in Mims to see if anybody was there and to obtain their mail and further to advise that their mail should be held for them rather than being forwarded to Lake Park, They were in Mims for a few minutes returning to their home where they retired for the night, Mrs, MOORE stated that as they returned from the Post Office they noticed a car parked on the Dixie Highway at the south end of the orange grove in front of their house. She stated she thought a boy and his girlfriend were seated in the car. ‘She then recalled that this car had been in the same spot at the time they arrived at their home before going to the Post Office,
Concerning December 19, 1951, Mrs, MOORE stated that HARRY MOORE went into Mims to look for a man to help him harrow the north orange grove, After transacting his business he: returned hone and remained there for the rest of the day. That evening her daughter ANNIE, ROSEALEA arrived in Mims, HARRINTT stated she went alone into town to meet ANNIE bringing her back to the home, Thereafter the 3 of them went into Titusville to try to get a newspaper and to mail some mail. She stated that during the time she went in to pick up ANNIE, HARRY stayed at home and worked.
HARRIETT Was unabile to advise as to vhom the mail was directed that was placed in the Post Ofifce at Titusville,
Mrs, MOORE's recollection of activities on Thursday Decenber 20, was very vague, She stated she did recall that HARRY went to the Post Office at one point during the day. She recommended that the details of this day's activities be obtained from ANNIE,
%
MM 41-270
Concerning their activities on Friday December 21, 1951, Mrs, MOORE stated that to the best of her recollection the entire family was home all day.
On Saturday December 22, HARRIETT stated that she and ANNIE went into Titusville to do some shopping, HARRY stayed home and was home the entire day and evening,
On Sunday December Mrs, MOORE stated ANNIE took HARRY to the 5t, James Missionary Baptist Church, which was the same church from which the funeral was held. She stated that ANNIE returned honmeafter dropping HARRY off. After church was over ANNIE returned, picked up HARRY and returned him home. Mrs. MOORE stated she believes HARRY remained at home the rest of the day.
On Monday December 24, Mrs. MOORE recalled that the man HARRY . had hired on December 19, appeared and did the harrowing of the north orange grove. HARRY did not aid him but was working around the grove banking new orange trees for the entire day. They stayed at home that evening.
On Tuesday December 25, 1951, Mrs. MOORE recalled that HARRY went to the Post Office at Mims during the carly part of the morning, After he returred she and ANNIE went into Titusville to look for a newspaper, She recalled that they were unsuccessful because all the stores were closed, Thereafter they returned home remaining there until approximtely 4:00 PM at which time they went tothe ce home for dinner, :
Mrs. MOORE was questioned about HARRY's position as executive secretary in the NAACP. She stated that his salary was far behind and that the NAACP owed him approximately $2600. She stated that someone else whose name she could not recall had offered to do his job o r- centage or commission basis. In this connection she stated a of Tampa we of the NAACP State Convention would be able to furnish the name of the individual who had volunteered to take HARRY!s position over, :
m 5h om
b6 b7C
MM 44~270
Concerning the Jast convention of the NAACP held November 23, through 25, 1951, at Daytona Beach, Florida, Mrs. MOORE stated she assisted a[-______] and that as a result she was unable-to get into any of the meetings with the exception of the last meeting. She stated that therewas na stenographic transcript of the meeting made and that there were pat the minutes of the meeting mde, Mrs, MOORE also
mentioned a (phonetic) of Childs Street, Leesburg, Florida weal it the Convention Meetings and would have these neetings s
[__]stated that he permitted HARRIETT MOORE to go to the funeral home in Sanford on New Years Day morning to view the body of HARRY T. MOORE. He said she was fast recovering up to that point and while he would not allow her to attend the funeral he said she was physically able and with sufficient strength to go to the funeral home, She returned immediately to the hospital and to bed. Her ccndition continued to improve throughout the day and the nighs until the clot blocked circulation early in the morning,
It should be noted that during the entire course of this
interview Mrs. MO0O2H appeared to be in a very weakened condition and her answers were very vague,
~ 55 =
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MM 44-270
liowing investigation was conducted by Special Agents 2 on demmary 2, 1951.
held HARRY T. MOORE responsible,.for. Gua oniia ic death,
RIO Mims,. Florida, advised that he has been living in Mims for about the last 12 years. He stated that approximately IC 10 years ago ALICIA LEWIS was killed while e playing
baseball at the Mims Colored School. He He said “that one of the school
boys fad accidently hit] _——Ss— SSCS Cdn the head with a ball bat
and tift™sié“died two days later. | _Jadvised that at first he had
held HARRY T. MOORE responsible for the child's death because_of the
fact that MOORE had not realized | he. _ seriousness of the injury vy received
by the girl, [___said that "MOORE did send] «Oc
that day but that she returned to school.the following day and became
{It and hed to come home, He said she died on that ae further that he fas since learned that MOORE had not thought the injury serious received 5 aT and that he no longer held MOORE responsible for] eath. [| stated that he had no personal anamosity toward MOORE and that he considered him to be" an ; outstanding colored citizen of Mims,
[_]stated-he did not have any information as to the identity of the persons, that were responsible for the bombing of the MOORE home. ‘\
\" é
4
Shen |
¥#
b6 io ke
RIN :msf
MM 44~2'70 The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents and[ Jon January 2, 1952«
BASIS : Melbourne, Florida, had advised when inter~ viewed that one was the person who did the |
actual detonating of explosives in clearing the Sebastian Inlet. .
BRIE
of Sebastian, Florida, advised that be was the person who did the majority of the blasting to clear Coral deposits from the Sebastian Inlet thereby allowing small boat traffic to pass from the river in the water way to the sea, advised that he had been trained in the use of high explosives while being a member of the U, 5S, Army Engineers, WWII. He advised that at the time he had used all types of high explosives except nitroglycerin. [___] stated that in 1946 he had discovered that various Navy Commando Teams bad been training in the area around Sebastian Inlet and that they were practicing demolitions in the area. [._s| stated that these Navel teams had received permission from the county area to maneuver around the Sebastian Inlet and it was’ their intention to try to open the inlet as part of their training, however, they were not successful, according to After the Naval Teams had left the area considerable amounts of THT and Composition C were left buried in the sand and in the water and many explosive :charges buried in the coral rock beneath the surface of the water had failed to detonate,
, ee return from.service he had been contacted by one a prominent citizen of Sebastian, Florida, who asked him to assist in clearing the inlet. [|] stated that they hired a dredge at first to see if they could clear the water way by dredging. Jt was at this time that they tured up considerable amounts of the explosives which were abandoned by the wilitary teams. When the dredging operation failed to clear the inlet began blasting with the recovered explosives. He advised that he failed to properly clear the inlet with the explosives available and it was about this time’that one ARTHUR COUTCH, who is now deceased, arranged through a United States yenator to get hold of some surplus explosives from the Government.
stated he did not know the details of obtaining these explosives
é | a " ’ b6
b7c
WM 44-270
from the Government, however, in 1947 a car load of Mark I TNT was delivered to the Sebastian Inlet Commission, It was his,
understanding that the explosives md been properly stored and kept under watch for 24 hours, In a shack near the Sebastian Inlet,|
had these explosives stored and a watchman was hired to protect the
aPrea.,
stated the he himself did the majority of blastin of the inlet with the Government acquired explosives. One had. helped him on one or two occasions, was an ex-service man who had a little training in dynamiting, but stated it was he himself who did the majority of the blasting, He advised that the Government's shipment of explosives contained TNT only and that there was no composition C included in it,
[jadvisea that the last of the Government explosives
were used approximately two years ago or sometime in 1949, He said that the explosives obtained from the Government were not enough to complete the job sol______ obtained two boxes of dynamite frou Ft. Pierce, One box of this dynamite was used in blasting the inlet, but the opportunity to use the second case did not arise, [ |stated that the tides began to run heavy and as a result their blasting operations were cancelled until: such time when they could get into the ledges of the inlet to complete their blasting, [—"]stated that he still had that box of dynamite stored in his shed and that no one but[_______Jand himself knew that that dynamite existed, In addition to the dynamite advised that he had about 100 foct of detonating cord which he had found in the sands of the Sebastian Inlet. He used this cord to prime detonation,
stated that he would assist in any way ‘by advising the interviewing Agents on explosives and the result of explosion.
[went on to say that he was born and reared in the Brevard County area of Florida and he referred to himself as a Florida cracker who held no anamosity towards the Negroes. He stated he did not know any HARRY T..MOORE or anyone else in the Mims area of Florida, but did advise that it was common lmowledge that the colored people in and around Titusville, Florida were of the highest type and well regarded” by the white citizens, [| said that his present occupation was that of a commercial fisherman, He had not done any blasting since the last time on the Sebastian Inlet, He went on to say that no one had approached him other than the interviewing Agents inquiring as to the methods of detonating explosives. He had no idea who could mve perpetrated the
~ 58
b6 . b7C
‘MM 44-270 bombing which had resulted in HARRY T. MOORE's death,
Sebastian, Florida, advised ‘he was presently a member of the Sebastian Inlet Commission and that he had worked along with the other members of the Commission in Brevard County in an attempt to open the inlet far small boat traffic. [| _|stated that the initial blasting of the inlet was done by explosives that were found in and around the area and that these explosives were abandoned by Naval Commando Teams who were training in the area during the war years, . stated that the Commission md approved their request to practice detonetions in the inlet in hopes that the various blasts would open the inlet for them,
[_|stated that after the war the Commission obtained a dredge in an attempt to clear the inlet and as the drédge was working it turned up a considerable amount of explosives, some of which were INT in black form and the other was "C-2", He stated that
had done all the blasting of the inlet with th. recovered explosives and that later on one ARTHUR COUCH had arranged through Senator PSPP"R to procure surplus explosives from the Govemment to
continue their blasting operations. When the shipment of Government explosives arrived, rj stated theplo a
ain started blasting the inlet in an attempt to open it and that ono had helped him on occasions. '
[_|stated that the last blasting of the inlet took
place in 1949 and at that time the Jast of the Government procured explosives were used and that he personally purchased two cases of dynamite to finish the job, however, only one of the cases was used and the other case was in the possession of[. dC: that that they could not continue blasting beeause of high and rough water and that they intended to continue as soon as the water subsided.
went on to say that to this date explosives can be found in the waters of the Sebastian Inlet and these explosives were some that the Naval Commando Teams had abandoned, however, it was his opinion that the explosives were water ‘Logged and no longer effective.
~ 59 -
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FEFMemsf
MM 44~270 ' The following investigation was condicted by Special Agents and? on January 2, 1952,
Basis: HARRIETT MOORE had advised Assistant Special Agent in Charge, W. W. BURKE, Jr., and Special Agent
that just after the 1950 elections HARRY and herself had received word from[_C™~—“‘CSCC#C#C(#d#;#éot to return to Mims over the weekend as "some crackers were out to get HARRY", Mrs, MOORE said that[ | had called from Orlando.
SRE
Ld was reinterviewed on Janua d * « +
“
2, 1952, ab which
to get word to the effect that they should not come to Mims that weekend because someone was out to get him, In explanation [ said that he did not recall saying "some crackers were out to .
et HARRY", but he hadsheSrd through either[—~—CSCSCsdtcr a that a Mr,AFORTENBERRY who was a candidate running for
re~election for the office of County Commissioner and who was defeated in the 1950 elections or some of FORTENBERRY's friends were out to get HARRY T. MOORE, [ explained that it was only hearsay as far as
he was concerned and that he did not recall who told him that FORTENBERRY or some of his friends were after HARRY, He said he had heard from one. of these individuals that FORTENBERRY held HARRY T. MOORE responsible for his defeat for County Commissioner in the 1950 elections. [I was ‘afraid to make the phone call from Mims or Titusville because he felt
the phone might be intercepted and therefore drove to Orlando, Florida
and made the call to his cousin from a pay_station, The only way he could reach HARRY T. MOORE by phone was through]
advised that prior to the 1950 election there was a public meeting on Merritts Island which is across the river from Cocoa. The meeting was attended by both white and colored people. The meeting was a political meeting where many candidates running for election spoke. rai not attend the meeting himself, but he heard that the meeting was held at a church, He heard that the meeting was well attended and that there was not enough room inside for all the people and the colored people
tone ~ — 60 — “ha,
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MM Ad~2'70
were forced to stay on the outside. He said that oneL sd who is a County Road Patrolman came to the church and tried to dispurse the colored people telling them to vote for Mr, FORTENBERRY as he was the man the colored people needed in office. [__] said that he believed
in Cocoa had attended the meeting and would be able to furnish more details concerning this political rally.
. 61 -
WB $ diiS VET Lb270
iclet;pe dated Januar, 2, 1752, woon previous roouest neue BLO a > vc Surcau sranbed cutnerits cov iat, ToL DO contact sAACP o
In io.s “ors Glitzy for the purpose of vovie.t3ng tho nersonncl rile of T. 0G. The Bureau, in the sane tcelet.me, insteneted Now York to
=e
Sat.
wu’
* rs
* — CLO.
HARDY
array moouonus Lor extroncly close Jiaison with PAACP officals in oruer
arcapul, obtein any desired. information ena to ji rieciatels reeeive
acy 3
Yorustion of inmtevcss or valuc to the Bureau iz this anc rolatca cescse
~ telot;pe dated January 3, 1952 wteu For’s acvised tres 1b Getorzined ‘at the NAACP that shore was no nersomel file maintained on HART wOORE and thet b xy such recore would be ab the locel JIAACP
in Brevard County, Florida. Samples of HOQRE*’s corresnoncence ine Li xc.
copies of Letters to the governor of Florica, were opvainea and ar furnisned the rilerd office.
e ~
C
tie’ York advisea that livzison vas set up througa [ at WAACS Roaccuarters for proint roportin® v bO tac New York FSl orfice any
at J.
or incoruetion coding to thciy SULCHEIOM
thew Yoru edvisece further that
the Sov scr Region, whose office is locatgd 729 Lasonic Temple, 1630 Abn
Avonuc, torth, Blrmingnen, Alabang, Was Santorvicwed ab thé HAACP headcue: conforo1ce
sar oo4t
RG willow time sne advised she last saw iiARCY 100k: at Daertone DBeacn Nove wor 25 tordugh 25, 1951. She stated sre know of no one who tiurcvatenec
VOOR! and HOORD ab no the MeneLonen bre name of anyone to nore who TALsnt hove ‘oarrvcatencd min. GSne explained tnat all workers in tuc wAACP reccive threats Lroi tine tO. tine, usuells of en anot 1008 NACULS ANG That oS & no actonbion Was paid to such threats. duc stasce she did aos know MOOmu%s voeont ibinorar; but that, be Jivities »rior
Wis activi
1
SELOHNG nove submitted a report to hex cover Inc
Cat
v: GWMite LY sucn 2 roport tas subi toed 2G would be in her Birr: Logher o©%
Sie Was unable to offer anv inroroagsion of value 2h instant in
tule
CiLjet.on anc advances her Opinion thas tuore is & connection beticen ais
deata ani his activities in the Grovelond, Florida, casc.
1952 You aay acditional information she re,” Neve in her Piles. It noted she indicated she would not be ab hey Siyrdachen acdress wrbi.
~ 62 —
Dirminsham has been roecuestcd te contacs[ afvor Januar
LS being Ll arce
ne neues b Wwe a
FFMemsf
MM 14-270 : fhe following investigation was conducted by Special Agents [Jana Jon Jamuary 2, 1952.
masts: | dt the Naval Auxiliary Air Station at Sanford, Florida was cont acted to
ascertain whether any possibility existed that some high explosive may have found its: way from the Naval Air Station into unauthorized hands ultimately causing the death of
_ HARRY T. MOORE,
77
ne ete Lares
was not at the station at the time and it was his own personal opinion that the station contained no high explosives of any sort, however, he would contact eee and subsequently advise whether any high explosives were stored at the station. He said he didlnow that they had some rocket propellant powder and some shot gun and small armed shells on the station, but it was doubtful if any
of that could be used to make a high explosive. ‘He said that no civilians working at the station have any aceess whatsoever to the powder Magazines»
On January 3, 1952, fe oops telephonically contacted Special Agent at Mims, Florida and advised that he had been in touch with his who confirmed the[ opinion t only shotgun shells and small arm ammunition together with some rocket propellant powder were stored at ths station. He stated that
ali their small arm anmunition and rocket propellant powder was accounted for and none of their supplies in storage had been disturbed,
~ 63 =
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b6 bTC Pi: JUS tls bbe 2G
h
‘tic following iavostigatiou was contucted by Special Agonts[_ Lad a January 2, 1952:
OLS 3 Litho lives apovocdiasel, one-cuaerter rile southvest of the HARRY I. MOORE POSLACNCO g “as intervicred bo
>
ascertain morc in detail his <« activatics on Decanver 25, 1951.
[atvised tnab on Christmas ua he steyca at noc the omtive Gime, during the day several visitors called ab the house to sec thera chileren. At about 16:30 ia the norniin, also KAO. as who is a first cousha or arove over Pzvom rite Dowa or hustis, Florida with a girl feiond anc the girl fricnd?’s three children. said CL |stayed until asoub 12 otclock in the nornine
when ne, Nis girl friend end three chilévon, departed for Birca’s Fish Cars) locased south of wew Snyrne.
is o visitiag hia on thet day was [ cho is in the
$9 Present]; svetioncd at Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina. [__] axl s
uncle of and he Vas _visitine in Mins on a 72 hour pass. tayed moss of tre tine at si0U.SC «
FORO wOPC
side of ht. Dora, Florida.
d did not reeall at what tine wes reburned to “Moe Dore, and BAS “uit anda two children visited titan nia anc aid that wes employed at the iinute Haid Frozen’ brane
SEL Juice plont at Zcllvood, which 1s located ncar Pi.meweh » Florida.
Duving Christmas day another uncle named [ | (nenes (Spelle d difforent than family) fron Le Grange, Orlda, Visited for a snort time.
Tie stated thet from abort 3:30 iin the everdig vO an, his wilco were alone enc thoy had candy end pecans until avpro:tamtcly lu PM. unen thoy
VCCIPOM « said he wert to sleep immediately and he vas avaiconed by a ~ayt ba fae
loud op LOsion. He pane ne Lamccdiately set up in bed and he and his wife
asiicd vack other what tre ezplosion covld nossibl; have becn.
~ 6h ~
b6 b7C
FFiis JMS ak fd ates 2} Q
CL] eavised thet epprocimatelys thecoe o: four remths previous to who 10003 cxplosion they were avekoncd at abort The Samcbsliae of nL ans Noa AS another very Loud exolosiion. He said the first > ‘plosion sound.cd Inc 1b vas & larae. Gi nancte cxplosion and the eclosion ab the MOORE rcosiuches sounded the same wazr to him, tle clances out the window and movucc, onet kis brother was outside tne mouse. He said he called to his brouser and asked tim that the oxplosion :ms, to which his brothcr voplicd that no Jidn’t know vut he heard someone calling Lor “holo. [js eid he mane Suc statement to his orother "ell let*s co sec uhat it is then.’
Ee <
«
tt i
° é re Immcdietcly cot up, dressed and werb out ab witich time his brotnoe relterated: thet hc had heard somcone hollering. Is brother said
JG sounded lixc tne explosion and the vo sine Ivor ctovara wins, which is Locatce to the northoest from the IOVS? NOMCS.
Lic and[ __ Jot intc nis, [ cay ond drove to tne Old Diccic, tuswag north going to the Jusz 3Jce intersection. he said as tnoy passed: bac grove to the cast of MOORé*%s house, und at this point the Old Dixie is aioy. voxtnabeliy 115~12G yards to the east of tac HOC’ residence, whore they sar tne Li ignts wore on in the HOORB residence and sn automobile wes in
sro of tac house with its headlights on, further illuminating the hnousc.
a
said at this point they aia not give any thought thet tho ex
fo
Ki
pl.osion Light have come from HOORE*%s nouse and instead of Stop: DANE » BAO colloid to the Jus; Seg_corner. Abt this voins they Ssuonned choir car, turare o.f tac novor and got out to hoar if ther could hear any further welliag ov noises Evers;thing scened cules and they procceded from tis ‘peint to Duffy's Service Station at ifims. Several poople were ebous the stand and thoy merely incuired of the pcople standinys around if they had Ward an oxplosion to which one union man reoplicd "Yes, ue heard the ov plosion, welro waiting for the debris to Lali.
"
, av this point | said he made a JU turm and drove south on U. Se yl vO & point just south of Viddon’s Hill anc curned “cst on the sand voad. Heo
Sai... hows he mentioned to his orother about the lights being on at HOORD?%s 1ouse and sugecsted that they go north again on tue Old D3 cd Qe
ArceP turning norta on the Old Discie tho sai Cc acar
Ce which is on the Olé Dixic south of the MOORE*’s resiidenec and
advised thet his wife had talked over tol nouse oO sce what was WPONE o told tne. he vas going over in thet cireccioa if he could got his car started. [[ ___Jallso advisod tho
-~ 65 -
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PFI: ditS
:_-- 1 own bee Ad 27G
Los no had heard tne cxplosion. ‘ther invited [| tO 0 WEG Get eng the three of thom proceeded nortn on tine Old Dixic, turning Lets ou tne [L_]road. As they drove closer to the HOURE house they NOvGt. vwuBe the porch lignt was on and thereafter they turned right on the dixvt voad chich passcs inmediatoly in front of the HOORE%s residence. ie saia as soon as thoy had a clear view of the ,00RE%s house ther know bush soucthing was wronge
as
tie said when he, nis brother andl sd arrived there w ml. one person at the MOORS residence and that vas a negro, whoso name ho ecu aot recall, but who works for the SIPRIANO Cleaners in Titusville. Wo sal a “Unis nogro WwaS not at the scone of the explosion and was driving is AN / Chevrolet business coupe titich is painted a dirty excen color.
At tvliis poins[_]se aid NG vent vo on tac porch ane Looked, in to
sce il ne could see eny people and sussestca ne @ in and call the , Shovifl.’,. Trunediately left in [dear end drove to iims feucks
Stes wdera he asked a to call tho Snort’? aad advise him of the
locestios of the onplosion.
During this tine |steved aun ( and [7 _Jlooked aroun
oe a tac house with a flasali
. [_Jadvisea that the aforeicationcc NCTrO WAO was at the scenc when ne earvived, told them thet Co naa alroacy been to the house ano ue taken Hi: AREY NOOR and his wife out and the, had all ¢ fone to the 057." oak. ¢ ‘
3
he said @ car drove to the secno with wePTOeS In tke ear end |__askes [diz had ameived yot. [LJanstercd in the no LAbLLVE At
the car end they al) drove aun “Approsinatols five minutes afber of Brevard County, arrived.
2.0 Alas 2 3.1,8 nye of enna te . : “C Sti wnay within several mimvtes many negrocs arrived at the
veut into the house with [ ang a fowv minutes lator | ) caine OU LO nis car and radioca to incuire if a anyone had been
brows vo the Doctor's office at Titusville, L|said the man eb the othér
ONG Se the radio te1dL_] Shat ne did now knorr about the Doctor?’s of ec
put that somcone wes at the jail who was vleeding at the cars and [hoard well the jailor to got a Doctor for lin.
- 66-
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b6 b7Cc
PFI: dis ie Fn 270
a ledvi so he again vent into the house to return a fe minutes later with the thought that ho wanted to go none ana fet bis Plashlicht. Cy again fot inte his cae and on tho way to nis hore
“" J orf. Just after the: “cd in the Hutcheson voac[ | gubled in boning thom and stoppca Nis car and vont oacx wunorGe the oxplosion vas Locatcd, adviseag thet wnile no was nore he calicad his [i Or tne Correct Craft Soat suilding Company 2% , MS BSVELL G, 20 ao~ so rr:
ise Sin ox the exolosion and of the fact ot not oc in advised Nw: on t UC
Pon worse the following day. He said thas
pnoug wat he thought he ee eal dow. to view tie explosion Sut he, pious it foncered hor telophone call to him vould tic in wilt his coming to the scene of tac oxplosion.
a ys ="
thoy cronved
ar) vol cl
lic StatC anc “tien he arriv OF NGUTOUS
cd ne and [ drove oacx to tiie seone of the oxplos”on
ed tnere Were many poople there, some whitbo and a roat number lig said tnaat ynon he roturacd mam: house, in- and bracrease.
. ”
ne Was Looking Lor WARY HOORE?*s heard. somcone speak up and sa, "also his billfold,
said ne a in the room Looks. gy Yor the Devlefcase and wis Ain wes| | Hoe [together turned the nabtresses looking ior the
Say
[ _Jadvised ne vas culve familiar ith dynamite and thet upon his
. tae scene he could detect no odor of dynamite whatsoever.
cO ne stayed around the scene of the omlLosion for the balence o2 bie ita with the crowd o :
advised he Aes not s
con Hany T. MOORE fox ebout threc cars anc aluhough he spoke to nim, to ais recollection, ne has never had a con versation with HAR T HOOK in bis o iro TAPC ¢
rYG
Convorning a motive for the c:plesion,[ ] sa; id he nad hearé a PUAOF Siyt CARRY NOOR had urittcn a letter to Governor JAE about the Cvoveland case and then lator wrote to tc Governor ; about tne ricCALL casc ile sana ne had Sewer trat HOCRE's letior to Governor ARES x orotosted
wae ftlang of SULPPARD and the shooting of Ivviu.
% * a. © ' 1 7 ony , 4 Le ae \ nen Cucs sb:LOKe a5 vo wy Os Wy’ Cw nor LO to eLtner tho [b> the HOOESs home immcdiately, particular]: after ]heard somcono
PP: JHS Dz Lhe BVO
wh
clitng for aclp, L__ oxplained that tic orcvious explasion that ho had monblored ves & Poise alarm and be belicves tris was oooapl” anobtncr onc arr, explosions", He sata on bie occasion of ‘tne oc pl ostorTit en occurred three or Sous wonths nrevious to the MOOR explosion, thet ho vas similarly in bed and aslecd. He was avakened and fob uD,
arenousce on iG HNOWS Of ivy
Route 46, per Gane nae
dvesse da ang drove to Mims where Ao stoopen bhorve bc talked vo an ut GC Cola delivers bo.~
ae
[|
2t Buc tel
mhor. |
Or
we said he incuired of as tc whether he had heard any noise of explosion to hie! ANSWCPCU Ini tno evasive.e. He sata he rcce acount Lins not incuiring of anyone else concernim; tne explosion, Shea “ie oat sesh of Mims on U.S. wh to ler ,
ta iad
ay" uh a
ean oon
: vin's roaa, turning; west to the Old so this point went sout!: sof __ ]résidonee.
pang hor daughter, ero ar KO ali
VOs O11 tae porch. arse resiess{__ feavi 8 Oreoseine :
in Sartow, at exolaeined that nes -
thoucdst tne explosion sounded like 1t was wo in the air.’ : Lert tho| lresidence and went bac! to lims izhero he asada at
d nos bali: vo ayvone coucerning the oxplosiion lice hoard. ile said he roturned home Oy. Var" Of nis Cotner?s LES GONCC , LAeCKG he seonned and askea nis Lather if ne Rad USC Bir” UyNemLoc Lae TULEITC « he sale nis athicr svorces & Small Supply On MUiSe uncer 3a treo end that 8 Be eECNB SCS his Jae irom on, Driccnerd?s. haeavarc | Stor Tl ruusvidio, Florida.
L_Jadvised he goes not remember wno else he talked to on the occasion
ov une Sarst explosion; vho had heard the cxplosion but he explained the Riese cplosion sounded just like tne e-plosion over at lioore¥s houses? «298 Lan EIR ORNS ESE ELIE TS SF i ENE REST SNOT I WRITES CRM MEER McLte,
AGO anc 1s oresontly ne saia nc vas in
Ciipio,od at the Correct Craft Boat rn TLcusViLiice
7 i S
the law during worla war II and was stationea at Vero Beach where he vas
di Sue lec _Departuont and on the Crasi: Crew for anoroximately 25 nontns.
is (Sil is[—_]Jand ho was in the Navy fron December 22, 194.3 to January
19 3 TORS e
b6 b7c
FFM: msf WM 44—270
he. foitowing i Leation was conducted by Special Agents -——"* and[ fon January. 2 1952, at Stanford, Florida,
BASIS: This investigation was conducted to determine from ANNIE ROSALEA MOORE, daughter of the victims whether or not she personylly had had any trouble with any individuals who in turn might have been responsible for the bombing.
Concerning the basis of this investigation, aNNIE stated that she has had two or three boyfriends whom she is no longer seeing. She stated that she did not break off from any of them, but rather they broke off from her. She stated that she has never had any boyfriends around Mims,
She furnished the following names as being those boyfriends who had broken off from her:
Cz, stent states [| while she was attending school a aytona Bzach. She stated
She believes has since left school and returned: to some unknown
point in California, - She stated she new, at school ¢ and that he lived in Ocala. She stated she believes he is teaching
PS
school at Sarasota at the present time,
- ANNIG stated Jhome was in Tampa, Florida but that he is teaching somewhere in the Vicinity of Miami at the present time. mS .
In asiition .NNIS stated that she has never had any trouble with any of her girlfriends either in or around Mims or elsewhere,
Concerning activities of her family from the time of her arrival at Mims to December 25, 1951, sNNIE substantially substantiated the story told by her mother as. previously reported in the report and furnished the s.me information she furnished interviewing 4gents on December 31, 1951, reported herein,
~ 69 -
* ¥
FFM:msf . BIC
MM 44-270
following investigation was. conducted by Special Agmts andl don Jamary 2, 1952,
BASIS: To determine what activity if any the Ku Klux Wan is engaged in, in and around Sanford, Florida,
EK
of the All Souls Catholic Church, 800 Oak Avenue, Sanford was contacted. L________ stated he has been in Sanford for a period slightly more than one year. During this time through his own personal observation and by talking with the various members of his parish he has been unable to ascertain any Klan activity in or around Sanford. stated that the relationship between the white and colored people is close to ideal in Sanford, He pointed out that the white people insisted that the colored residents be included in all civic functions of the city and further pointed out that there exists little or no discrimination in the utilizing of_the various business facilities in Sanford against the colored people. stated that he was unable to furnish the names of any Klan members in or around Sanford adding that he would be only too happy to furnish this information if it were available to hin,
of ‘the Episcopal Holly Cross Church, 400 Magnolia Avenue, Sanford stated he has been in Sanford since 19Le and that during this time no Klan activity has been brought to his attention either through his personal observation or through his talks with members of his congregation, [____ | romarks concerning the relationship between the white and colored people in Sanford were almost identical to those of
Both sd and[ sd ttattewd they were sure there had been no Klan activity in the Sanford area, because had there been any same would have been called to their attention by members of their congregation
~ 70 -
b6 bIC WuB: JMS BEE 14-270 |
On January 3, 1952[ ___sd| fitusville, Florida, furn shod Lo ASAC We we BURKE a letter addrossed to “Any Drug Suore, j.
uayor, Thovewille, Florida bearing a return address oon 37k Prince Goorne Hotel, Wow York City. Instant letter reavuestcc. that a pictwure or the courthouse at Titusville, Florida be furnishec tac weiter, whose
To vier of the closeness of Titusenilic to fins, Florida, flow York 5 3
Wes veauested by telotype on January 4, 1952 to identify the occupant of 2oor 57h Peinee George ilovcl anc to determine why tals ineividual was re=
rucsulng & picture of tic courthouse at Titusville.
is an vith HILI-THOPSON Company, 70 .all Str
Cc Hei vor: City and that nis hebby is coliceting picturus of Cour Courthouscse
as
~ 71 -
o
= %
bé TC
WHBimsf£
MM AA-270
The following investigation was conducted by Special agmts <li Damomey A, Age,
BASIS: The following interviews were conducted for the purpose of accert3zining possible travel and activities of victim Harry T. MOOs during the period between about November 26, and December 16, 1951. Also to dotermine if possible whether or not HARRY T. MOOnS carried insurance » )
HIG a ot
of the afro-american Insurance Company 503 Rosomary, advised he hed beon & close friend of the victims for several jears and tmt he had attended the same college as HaRRY T. MOOKE,
[| statea that he knows that H.anhtY OOK was in West
Palm Beach, Florida on November 26, 1951, and on Decomber 10 ‘and 13 On each of these nights there was a meeting at which both MOO.tE ot were in attendance. The November 26, 1951 meeting was for the purvose of collecting funds for the defense of the two colored boys in the Groveland Case. The Decanber 10, 1951, meeting was a meeting of the Progressive Voters League and the December 13, 1951 meeting was a mecoting of the N...CP,
was not sure that MOQ was in West Palm Beach between these dates. He said MOQ traveled quite cxbensively over the state in conrection with his NAACP work.
LJ advised that MOOKT had told him in the pist that he ma assisted the present political office holders in Mims, Florida and the opposition had been unfriendly toward him due to his political assistance.
further advised that during tho SMaATHiAS - PEPPER campaigns and election, the Progressive Voters League of Florida, of which MOORE was_an
. officer had supported PEPPER, At this time one | —__] as of the Progressive Voters League in Florida and supported SMATIiits,
s then expelled from the Progressive Voters league for having voted against instructions of the Iwague. [__|started the Florida State Voters League and MOORE during the Progressive Voters League meeting in West Palm Beach on December 18, 1951, advised the group to stay away from
organization and continue with the Progressive Voters League.
cance according to a letterhead of the
Florida State Voters League is 1135 Pierce Strect, Clearwater, Florida,
Dias
MM AL~270
The letterhead of the Florida State Voters heague was furnished the Agents py __landL___] stated in connection therewith that his,
name appeared thereon, though he had never been consulted by
concerning the use of his name,
[_]stated that HARRY T. MOORE nd never mentioned any threats having been made toward him and t MOORE, did not generall discuss his personal life with outsiders, did state that
had mentioned an incident conceming the fact that HOOKL seemed concerned for his well being,
who has been previously interviewed by Agents advised that HARRY T. MOORE was in West Palm Beach, Florida on December 18, 1951, and stopped in his drug store. MOORE advised[ at the time of this particular contact that hoe was going to attend a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the NAACP but did not mention the location of this meeting. According tol MOORE then told him that he planned to return to Mims, Florida for Christmas. [__| stated that it was his opinion thet the NAACP meeting wes in New York but he possessed no direct knowledge of this opinion.
[stated that in September or October, 1951, he’ had received tome mail for MCORE-and had then decided to deliver this mail to MORE!'s place in Riviera Beach, Florida, He advised he arrived at MOORE's place at about midnight and hed knocked on the door to the apartment and waited 4 or 5 minutes. After thj j bid called out for .OORE and MOORE immediately opened the door and toldbe The wanted to make sure it was not the wrong party, or that it was the right party. stated this was the first indication thet MOORE was worried sbout his well being.
advised he had visitcd HARRIETT MCORE while she wns in the hospital after the incident but she would not tell him anything fbout HARRY T. MOORE's possible enemies,
~ 73 -
steals Pe
—_— oe
ae
ot as, —_————— i nel Re erie
b6 ‘DIC
WWB :msf Mm 44—~270 AT WEST Pal BESCH, FLORE DA
BASIS: Following investigation is conducted in an attempt to Locate a bank account, safty deposit box and possibly a will executed by victim HASRY T. MOORE,
—
ris ESedh
Florida Bank and Trust Company, Olive and First Streets, West Palm Beach, Florida, advised Special Agent[ Po don January 3, 1952, to the effect that there was no checking account, savings account, or safe deposit box maintained in this bank by either of the victims,
First National Bank of Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida, advised Special agent that the victims had no checlcing, savings or safe deposit box in either the First National Bank of Palm Beach or the Riviera Beach Senk, riviera Beach, Florida,
Atlantic National Bank, West Palm Beach, Florida, advised Spscial agent on January 3, 1952, that there was no record of a checking account or safe deposit
box for the victims in that bank, He added there does exist a savings account in the nemc of HARRY T. MOORE, Box 685, Lake Park, Florida.
The balance in this account is »2.35, The lest entry was on March 15, 1951, and there is a withdrawal of $50, The records roflect that the entry preceding the above mentioned entry was a $50 deposit on Janunry 2, 1951. This account was opened in 1948 and has not been very active.
following investigation was conduct :d by Special Agonts on January 4, 1952, at West
Palm Beach. Upon the death of victim HarsLaTT MOOuk on the afternoon of Jamary'3, 19527 cor acto nSAC W, W. BURKE to advise that he was driving the daughters of victims
to the Riviera Apartments and if the FBI still wanted to search the effects of victims at the Riviera Apartments such search wuld be permitted and
if Agents would meet them at the apartment they would enter simultaneously,
-~ 7h -
b6 bTC
“i*) #
i oN
Mi 44-270
. Above mentioned Agents met [ and the daughters of victims and ANNIE ROSALSA oe at which time a waiver of
™m {
search was signed by ANNIE 2. MOORE and
A search disclosed considerable correspondence, newSpaper clippings, end copies of letters which were all taken by searching Agents with the permission of the victims! family, These various papers were processed for the purpose of ascertaining if possible any information that would enlighten such as a possible threatening letter or communications which would clarify the movements and activities of victim HarkkY T. HOOns from about November 27, to December 16, 1951,
| | and the daughter of victims ANNIE nr. MOORE requested that any papers or documents referring to insurance or _2 will of
the victims be forwarded to It was agreeable with them that any other material may be destroyed after . its usefulness had been served. They likewise stated that any receipts for the NaacP may also be destroyed.
~ 75 ~
CPA: JUS Ma Ae~2'70
Lhe at investi a was conducted by Special Agents [
and on January 3, 1952:
BASIS: [, employee of the Spar Service Station, Mims, Florida, was intervicwed to determine if any persons had in= cuirved of him the whereabouts of the MOORE home prior to the ponbing of that home. rd was also questioned as to any in-~ formation he mignt have concerning the bombing.
ale
aN HSt
Spar Service Station, Mims, Florida, advised that he is the working from 4. in the afternoon until 12 midnigznt. He stated that on the night of Decembor 25, 1951 he was not at work as it was his night off. He stated at the time of the explosion he was at his home asleep and that he did not hear the explosion. He stated further that he knew nothing about it until the following morning. [____Jhome is approximately two miles north of Mims, Florida on U.S. il.
. Lso advised that. no ersons had ever stop od at the Svar Nervilce | coro and asked about Moon. [ said he Nan only that MOORE naé a home in Mims i he did not know MOORE was there during the
at ote 4 a tf * . Christmas holidays .« was unable to furnish any suspects or give any information as to who might have bombed the MOORE residence.
~ 7% -
b6é b7c
THs JUS | ME Adp--2'70
The ap Sa EE en was conducted by Special Agonts[ |
and on January 35, 1952:
BASIS: Persons residing in vicinity of MCORE residence inter~ viewed for any information they may have regarding bombing MOORE residence e
The following persons residing in the vicinity of the MOORE residence wore interviewed for any information they might have as to the bombing of the MOORE residence, the persons responsible and any information regarding the - activities of MOORE which would be of assistance in determining the identity of the persons responsible for the bombing. Each of the persons InAceviewed stated he did not have any information concerning the identity of the persons responsible for it or any information regarding tne activities of victim MOOR. They also stated they observed no suspicious persons or eutomobiles in the vicinity of the MOORE residence:
[|_____ ~ advised she, her husbandL____——sddand their son- 1S, left Mims, Florida, Decomber 22, 1951 for a visit in °
Green Gove Springs, Florida and Washington, Georgia.
[i - Was asleep in chair at time of oxplosion, looked out
back door, believed explosion to be gas tank, did not leave residence, retired that night, learned of cxplosion following day.
[tw thought 1b was her gas tanks in the back of her house, ox
amined tanks, found them intact, retired and learned of explosion next morning e
[|__| ~ was at movie theatre in Titusville and knew nothing of ex- plosion until the. following day.
- at home asleep, was not avakened, Learned of explosion ivom newspapers following day. Acquainicd with MOORE family but has now seen them for several je ars.
[et asleep, awakened by explosion, believed it to be a Car Wreck, Looked out bedroom window, retired, learned next day of explosion from paper and neighbors. Wot accuainted with MOORES.
-~ 77 W
= See
THA: Jiis MM Adm 210
- both aslecp and awakened by cxplosion, he got up, Looked out back door, sai nothing suspicious or unusual, returned to bed, Learned of explosion following day.
[i ttt~‘“‘(®SNCOC#C#C#C#C#C#di‘:~hadd:«évetbived, awalzened by cxplosion, got up and looked out back door, saw nothing suspicious, believed explosion possibly caused at that time by activity at Cocoa tiissile sasc, returned to bed, learned of explosion following day from newspaper and relatives.
advised they had rebircd, she stated she had not fallen asleep but he had. They were awakened by the explosion and[ =| Saped up and vent out on the front porch, looked
around and did not sce anything suspicious, he returned to bed, Upon return~ ins to bed vold him she heard someone hollering for help.
He then got up and went to the back porch. Ab that time he heard someone calling out for help and mentioning whet sounded to him to be names of persons being called for assistance. He statcd the voice sounded Jike that of. a wonane He also advised he covld not understand the names being called although he could distinctly understand the word "Help".
thon returned to the bedroom, dressed and got into his automobile and drove from his home to Mims, seeing no oxcitement in Mims or angtning unusual there he went south on Old Dixie Highway as fer as tho dirt road that leads into the home of his tuo sons. At-the time he passed the MOORE residence he noticed automobile headlights in front of the house.
He turned around at this intersection then proceeded north on Old DiscLo Highway. He also stated that about that time two automobiles cane out of the Po road, which leads to the MOORE residence, and passed him ab a high rate of speed with the horns blowing. They went in the direction of Mins, Florida and he attempted to follow them. He said they were going so fast he soon lost them and that the horns stopped blowing. a said he tnen ecturneu to his residence and retired, He advised he learned of the bombing of the MOORE residence the following day.
ated that during October, 1951 he purchased 25 sticks of
dynamite from Hardware in Titusville, Florida to blast out tussocks which were hindering the flow of water through a bridge on the
property. He said that he used the 25 sticks himself, none of it was stolen, given away or otherwise disposed of,
2s ' ~ 7S —
be b7C
Theis JES bE ai e270 . b7c
lle further advised that he has been acquainted with the MOORE Tomily Yor many years, having also ocen acquaintcd with their grandparents who resided in the areas He stated that it is his understanding that HOG has been away fron Mims for sometime, occasionally returning to his residence for short period of time.
He advised he does not have any information regarding MOORE’s activities nor does he have any information as to the identity of the per- sons responsible for tne bombing of the MOORE residence. He explained that alinough MOGE resided near him he very scldom had contact with MOORE or moswers of his family inasmuch as both families wore engaged in their rospective businesses and family activitics. He also advised he has not i. Seen any strangers or suspicious activity in the area at any time preceeding the borbing of the MOORE residence nor has he heard of any threats or } sustononts made by anyone indicating they intended any harm to MOORE or nis fanilj. He said that insofar as he knows NOORE was well regarded in the comunity as a law abiding citizen and respected by both the colored and the twhitcs.
He advised approximately two years ago his son, operated a Gulf Service Station in Mims, Florida and MOORE _froquently brought his automobile there for servicing. He said that __ considered HOORE a wery good customer inasmuch as ho generally brought his automobile ¢here and also inasmuch as he was very prompt in his payments «
During the interview| | shascd that a
coloved woman of Mims, Morida, is often hired by the family to do washing and work around thet ___] hovschold. Sho stated she recalls tnat subsequent to the bombing of the MOORE residence stated in
regard to the bombing "it didn’t have to be white people. stated sne could not elaborate on this statement and inasmuch as she recalled, lu Vas oxprossed as an opinion by . 7
Sne also advised Has rewarricd and is residing at Mins, Florida with her new husband whom knows only by the name of
[| _d stated during the interview that they were very much surprised at the bombing of the MOORE residence inasmuch as the
colored ‘and white people in Mims, Florida have gotten along well for many YEALS ¢ [____ stat cd ne does not know of any Ku Klux Klan activity in ifins, Florida or anywhere else in Florida.
~ 79
b6 b7Cc
THI: JiiS bb 270
‘and on January 3, 1952:
BASIS: stated during interview tnat her colored servant, tated on one occasion that
Nit didatt have to be white people” in connection with the bonbing of the MOORE home.
, | located in Mins, Florida, whero she is pre- sently residing with her husband,[ sig Ske said that she and
were at their home asleep on tne night of the bombing and were not awakened. Both she and stated they Learned of the bombing the next day from per~ sons in Mims, Florida.
the - inve Sen was conducted by Special Agents [
[_ emphatically denied she had ever made a statement to the eifect the bombing "didn't have to be white people.'? She stated she has no infomation regarding the persons responsible for the bombing or any infor- mation regarding the acbivities of MOORE. She said she is not versonally acquainted with the MOORE family although she has dbeon awaro of the fact they resided in Mims, Florida for many years.
[ advised ne docs not have any information regarding the persons responsible for the bombing of the MOORE residence. He also ad- vised that he was not personally acquainted with the MOORE family although he was avare of the fact they resided in iims Florida. |
RES susf MM LAb~270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent on January 3, 1951,
BASIS: To ascertain what activities if any had been engaged
in by the Ku Klux Klan in and around Mims, Florida in the
recent past and to determine whether or not the white populus of Mims has been advancing any theories concerning the bombing
of victim's home. "
HBSS
and of the Church of God, a of Mims, Florida were contacted.
ach of these men stated that there his been no activity whatsoever of the Ku Klux Klan ‘in the Mims area to their knowledge for many years. In addition they stated that from conversations heard by them from their congregations, the white people in and around Mims have deplored the bombing of MOORE!'s home and his death audibly. Hach stated they had heard of no particular theories as to who or what group might have done the bombing, bit that they felt sure that whoever did the bombing did not come from Brevard County because there has been no friction whatsoever between the whites. and colored. All three pointed out that the economic situation in Brevard County and in particular at Mims‘is one of reasonable equality between the whites
and colored. [____]in particular pointed out that several years past when the Negro people were given the right to vote the white
people in Mims accepted the situation in a true Christian spirit as evidenced by the fact that there were no riots or verbal objections from any of them as existed in other parts of the South,
- §] —
Tho following investigation was conducted by Special Acentq Cen Jon damuary 3, 19521 |
BASIS: ere mer of the NAACP group at Daytona Beach, whon Lireb inverviewed promised complete cooperation_in an effort
40 develop information concerning MOORE’s murders L______re~ ' interviewed.
Ga
o~
ad
SEN va
of the Gulf Service Station at Campbell Stroet and Second Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida, advised that he had at- tended MOORE®’s funeral and had discussed the matter with numerous individuals attending the services but that he had been unaole to develop any information of valuce
said that he had heard some individuals at the funeral. services making remarks concerning threatening letter or letters which MOORE may have received prior to his death but he said that none of the individuals to whom he talked could furnish any information along definite lines.
said that MOORE had, during the summer of 1951, believed to be tn dune, 1951, discussed with [| the appointuent of a colored deouty sheviff in Lake County, Florida and that at that time he and NOORK engaged in several "bull sessions” but at no tine did MOORE ever mention that he hed received any threats of any nature and there was no particular reason for[________] to believe that MOORE was afraid for any reason on ace count of the work in which he was engaged.
~ 82 .
mw
EHD: JxlS Mu 2-270
Th fine investigation was conducted by Special Agents [ Coan yen danuery 3, 19522
pasts: [_____]of the sttenta Life Insurance Company, Daytona Beacn, Florida, member of the NAACP group in Daytona, inter-
viewed for information concerning MOOR.
r
arias iw) “7 ¢
and + 5 al oT ce of the RIGS Life Insurance Company and a mosiber or th
c Daytona Beach NAACP group, adviscd he first met MOORE in 1938 when HOORE was teaching school in Brevard County. From 1938-41 MOORE served as
va
& part time insurance agent, collecting a debit in Mims, Florida.
[_]said that at the present time he is inactive in the NAACP and that he last saw MOORE in November, 1951 at the NAACP convention in Daytona Beach. ile said he did not attend the convention but had several short conver~ sabions with MOORE but at no time did MCORE make mention of any threatening lctters or threats that he may have received.
L_] said that MOORE was under fire at the NAACP convention and it was hearsay information. to the effect that MOORE was not doing the job for the NAACP and that the Tampa and Birmingham factions of the NAACP wanted MOORE ousted from his job.
said that ne could furnish no information concerning any sus- pects or any groups that might be considered suspects and know of no known enemics HOORE may have had. He said that he had always believed thet NOOR was a quiet, soft spoken person who never harmed anyone.
[_Jsaia that on or about the 29th of December he was in Miami ate tending a fraternal convention and that while there he understood from hearsay that HO0kZ had attended a meeting in Miami about ton days prior to his-death. He did not know the nature of the meeting, the locution of the meeting nor anyone who would be in a position to furnish further information.
pe Beach, Florida, and at Bethune-Cookwan College, be interviewed as they
6 be close friends of the victim.
~ 83 ~
bTC BHD: dis ME Ady-2'70
The 7? fine 3 igation was conducted by Special Agents [ [ana on January 3, 1952:
‘BASIS: [ previously advised that he received in- formation from unknown colored man’ in Mims on day after bombin that MOORE had allegedly reccived a threatening letter. ss rointerviewed after he thad had opportunity to attempt to identi- ry man from whom he received information. .
UZ NESE WIEN
reltcrated
that he had visited the scene of the bombing on December 26, 1951 during the arternoon and that while there an unknowm colored man had walked over ‘to him and they were discussing the situation, and during the conversation this colored man said that MCORE had told him, the colored man, that he had received a threatening note which told him that he had better leave and the unknown colored man told [— lénat ne had suggested to MOORE that MOORE _ leave this are@®, bub MOORE allegedly replied that he was’ going to stay at Mims for Christmas. The unknown Colored man described the communication as a note oF warning, : |
[ __]saia he had attended the funoral services for MOORE and had tried to locate and identify the unknown individual to whom he had pre- viously talked but that he had not been sucecssful. .
deseribed the unknown colored man as being between 55-60 years of age, wearing a hat, khaki pants and blue shirt. He said he was a dark skinned individual about 57% or Si? tall of medium build and a resident of itins, Florida. :
[ said he remembered seeing a man by the name of Lsomlihe tropical MeRS Shop in Daytona Beach and ecnunc-Cookman College at the scene duzing the vislu there bue he said that he did not recall that either of those men spoke to the unknowm colored man and doubted if they could identify him.
ok said he would make further cfforts to locate and identify ‘the individual to whom he had previously talked.
-~ 3h -
b6 DTC
CPA:msf
MM 44-270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents andl don Jamary 3, 1952.
BASIS: Employees of the Spar Service Station, Mims, Florida were interviewed for any informtion they might have concerning the bombing of the MOORE residence,
Se Ne he SHeiht
| ___CCCCCCCC_| Spar Service Stati on, Mims, Florida, advise at on the night of the bombing he was at his —
home which is located on U. S. Route #1 approximately three miles south of Mims. He said that he heard the explosion and that immediately thought that one of the gasoline storage tanks in the service station md exploded. He stated that he drove to the service station and fotihd: that there had been no explosion there and he then returned to his home,
He said it was not until the next morning that he found out that the MOORE's residence had been bombed. — stated that he did not know MOORE and had not known where he lived until the explosion, He also advised thatr one had inquired at the service station as to where
MOORE Lived.
Mims, Florida sta at he was not working on the night of the ‘explosi. One
He said that He was 5 at Cocoa, Florida and did not know of the explosion until the next morning. He said that he lad heard of HARRY T. MOORE, tut that he had not known where he’ lived.
| __|stated that to the best of his memory no one had . ever been in the service station asking where MOORE resided,
~ 85 ~,
b6 b7c
CPA:msf
The following investigation was oonducted by Special Agents . mn] Jon January 3, 1951s
/ BASIS: Information received fron[ sd Aha, two white men who entered Mims Confectionery Store and inquired as
to the location of the MOORE residence were driving a maroon automobile. Neighbors in the vicinity of Mims Confectionery Store were interviewed to ascertain if they had seen the
car or could furnish any additional.description of the two white men,
PH
The following neighbors were interviewed and they stated they did not have any information regarding the two white men, They also advised that they did not have any information as to the persons responsible for the bombing of the MOORE residence as well as any information regarding MOORE's activities,
of Susins Cafe. of Susins Cafe. ~ age 18 son of
_
Sunshine Grocery
~ 86 —
b6 b7C stb 3 did * thi bA~2'70 THis investication was conducted bs Soccial Arents | . so i BASIS: favesiigataon to detexriine » it possible, eet or Navere OL the explosive BISSt whici. killod vietirs ia chis casce anette cnn ntennsee ane eueanin fener See i
assigned to the U.S. eee tA Ae are fet, Golood Hessirle-Tose co 9S OC0K, -ULoOriaa, was consulted coilcefning Listent-expxo stop inasmuch aeie- Ls" the "host qualified person in the arca tO aavise on the latest type of oxplosives and demolition tcchnicucse jlo Vas rucavished sufficient inforration concernag the plysical results of one coJosion and was exlribited pnotosraonus of the scene of the orplosione
™
et ti ih tt
acvised that d:aanite covls nob heve been usod in ye : 3 ee . SP NNR RRA TNEET IPSEC HE EE Sucn an Oxolosion inasmuch as 4 doris "Caor woulda have romained for a choot |
consn igre ole Teneun Ot ire and chore would also NEVS 900N * Ore UCTiti to Herik an the mcdiate aco
score: and burn: a of tho oxplosion.
lic Gouoted that any cuantity of actoneting cerd could have vro- we GANG LOPCO yas that typo of erplosion vould have snatbored the isediate objects uniform: 7 but would not heve any Sstayang powore He leew OF AG rustance where nitroglycerine could be detonated without « fuse and : kme.: oF no instance wien nisroglycerine vould omplode oy flare.
duced. an,
Jae, ,hecording to the malities of this particular olast | 0 HA CHLOG LO Win that SONG AOR OF 2 “shave charzoft might have deon used.
nese sraps charges can be prepared by cho wee of almost any tyoo of PY? in Aid ox granular form. ft Group of TNT locks can be snaped in a cone and conséed py the use of en Clectric detonator attached vo the necessary
: thSn the force of the resulting: explosion weins direeted to the bese mG COMme.s ~
/ | | curther Sbated toot wiser tho emlosi ? TNT there Was &@ slishkt odor remaining 2s “oll 2s a Rated gly ead ee cme Chere a mowaret " a : a Srereentown ne ret aH ace CSLQUO °
as bed eee tit
Siem
| | concluded that inasiuch as the explosion blast j 4. . . oF 7 re £ts + 7 rus. ~ ‘ : ee un this Case “aS WOlL directed and derinitely lirdted in its direction he could ohainls Ox NO other type of explosion Cxcenu that of e u
> £2 tA
QO
{[- 3 tle . 3 Cr G wy
MA,y = > + Suupe charge. ile esbi-+
- 1 * J, “4 a oy * vio aan ce @lout LO or 12 pounds of HTP HL proaiuce instant explosion.
WWBimsf
MM 44-270
On the afternoon of January 3, 1952, | ers — of Sanford, Florida who attended victim HARRIETT MOORE telephonically - advised Assistant Special fgmt in Charge W. W. BURKS at Mims, Florida .
at about 4:15 PM that Hann rt Hook ha d-taken a_severe turn for the Pie worst and that he expected th the end at any minute. | sO Was a reer of prearranged agreement whereby he would advise concerning HARRIETT!s condition. At approxim tely 5:40PM the same date the nurse at Sanford Memorial Hospital called to advise that Mrs, MOORS had expired seme 10 to 15 minutes prior to her call,.
The above information was immediately furnished by telephone
to Special Agent in Charge ROBERT W. WALL, dr., who in turn advised the Bureau. ,
- 88 —
WWB:msf MM 44~270
Confidential Informant [ of known reliability, a former
“member of the Communist Party, advised he had attended meetings of the b6
The Informant stated he knew
.,
The Informant advised that on December 26, 1950,[. Pe made the statement to another member of the Communist Party, |
while discussing the international situation, that he was "getting old but if anyone was ever needed to blow anything: up, he was ready,"
Because of the above statement ___lis being Pe C given consideration as a logical suspect in the. instant bombing.
presently ‘resides in Columbia, South Carolina. The Savannah Office has been requested to determine if was away from Columbia during the Christmas Holidays, and particularly on December 25, 1951, the date of the instant bombing,
b6 b7Cc
-
vr
— a
an tid tds ww ant Ad-27O
tho folloving investigation was conuucucs
rg l9
n January 2, 3, 52 ao Jacksonville,
RASIS: xaequest to invorvion ¢ nesro leaders enc wlen informants “sn deckxsonviille for information im ohicir posse SO
social orSATeeeiony tas Lotervicien. by special Agee rise: a ‘sad limon TARRY HOOiw for a food nen, rears because oF 10
t
ction, but that he haw NAc, NO cormvact with MCORE curin ae G10 Se Heo saic bo hed now sce Ls = =H eabows thet Length of bin
-y arise
Ghat 10 had no icce as to any epercies O2 HOORES i:0 : riget perpetracs suc an ineidews. Ko was unable vo ofver amr suspects cr Leads.
rege of the Bte Puls Caveci, G25 loo Siyeot, TAich is commosca of a larse nesro congzeagation, adviscd So0cka. v Ageie Ce ene at he had neard no discussion OF tne aneldows at ifns, Vas not eccuannted wltn victims but will be glad to ropovt ary informcion uhi.en iiecry come to his attombione
*
colores, source of information, advised thetie iad fieard no coment among tne colorcd pooole or Jacksornvalile COncemieay thc vombings tn South: Florida. ie said he had no susyvects in tre
! ty
macvoer vactsoover end that he vas not comiuany o2 Klavi activit:: f2.0018 tne nosrocs in Jacksonville. {fo said any UNLOrRaeLor co. fing to his atvcorcion
would ismediates be regortca to the Jacksonville sesident Agency,’ >
of the CLARE .LITS ilission, 2 nero sociel OPE 2igavion, OLS .. ASL ay oR OG, advisec, Socezal Agent [ that Sac Knew anc worked titn TARIY 1000k5, that she ettenve. the Puree ox 0025 ami ned talxed we numerous colored and wiiluc people 20
rads 42 tae incident. She offersc she ves told by resideraes we there “6 been no friction betifoen the vite people anu the nevrocs at
ten? ft 04 C2 “Oo a FS at OC -
itis. She policves that the boib was pk Qce, Ab Die None or somcone Very fevilnes udth the location and habits of the victins bub has no information &S GO aly SUSDCCES »
Vas intervieveda oy spuciar fier at which time he acvisec: ne nad veon accualnicd VAG Gals vict cin, HARSY Li0Oh4. ie lec mo information tc crfer as to tite
Relacn 2tself Que said he would cledl:- comact is felends and accualiioances
~ 90 -
ow oe
32 dS ial fl 29G
bé ON, UAC colores eLercnt im en effort to secure ay: Lnformunvion cOucermne b7c
3 i 162.6 rm aly
oF
We v
a
Cc Was BCCUEINEC.. ibe: § UoLL accuainted mom: tle nerrGes all over tue
t,
the AAC? e S atc of Florisia and uas been vony coopera tiv eo ibtii the Jackson idic esi- ire}:
*
w yond. He yolunteerce ne would be very neppy to furnisn eazy intforae- ou OF value cenine to his attention to the kesicenb Agcacy.
Ld advised Spocial Acony
* +
a ee bone know nothing concerning the bominr obherig rou. ia the parcrs but Saab Le ak consLacred, calling who is affiliated with the MAACP in Jocltsonville enc immer. he Knew to be ucll. accuaineea with victim OORE.
7 | contacted [i isthtle Special igont [pe as in ais, LO] office and t ¢ labier pormtitsca Syectal ArJnt So listen ca Qi obonsLon. ee £ thoy armtinins on tlic Has bombing, vo whe ich & & 1 was poling cone but he vas not teliing because his Cond ly 4s afvotc for hinge L____]said
a i Sg cr
qc:
il
”
nce nan belkeca whith Hew York the nishs oefore and that trac, Vore foes to nove & southiide protest meeting in Jacksonvilic in & couple of des (Mote: Tris soutlicide protest micetine was leser postponed iin view of “bbe Sonth of vietin EARRISTT LOoNg.)
L___Jtthen incuired offi ne had ay ide lid t youbing and if ho thought ib was the Klen. [2-7] replioc he did not th Jt was the Klen but the rt
then said that % de sturf and I haventsy told
i i ; 2 soul about it but Joust has peck raised ebout his »rovlborpetin-lay who was howe on furlough. I?ll come up anc tell you azonws it,!? thon tole os
G Initz he would pe lookins for hin end closec tae conversation.
ce =
’ = ‘w ~ « - Ea ii ,aye = SOR ¥ - ’ tne following der, January 4, 1952, QUT contac sto Ihe . - tay 1 1 _- Teer =. ate t ~ a ae “f= anc he acvised Special Ageaé[___]F » had talizoa S250 ard treat oith- G
« out appcarims too incuisitive, hac asizoc soveral cucstions. AAVLSCO according tol ___|s statencnt, tugth le suspected the brotnor-in- lav solely beéeuse ovorythanr ned apparcnel, VOOR GOING boo sicoobn an Eibas » + F “
C nate no friction petween iCORE anc the wirites and tacn since pee prothnor-ine lacy nad core home this Bune hepnencde
Se vont further to state that tiis brotucr-jin=lev misht be a suspect since he, was Of the opinion thet tinocver it was iho placed Ue
~ 91 -
bo bIC
ww dt deo Thi fd 270 eplosive, hai to be Tauiliar with the haoits anc movemonts of MOORS and tic Loce ston of HOOcS's bedroom. It Was Gurins: this conversation wat
BaVLSCE. “bnet the protest meeting hac oeon callea f° due to the , ccatn oF HARRIETL HOCRE. The tite of instant meoting had not at tikis tine
pce: SOb.
[recuested was Dhe Gocve information be kootb on a conr tial. basis ein] requested thet le be combacted anoin witivin whe near Zetuce anc Ac 770u ut furnish eny inforimtion that he could gether durinc + i
a *" 5 .
"S
i
QGViscd special sserres wnat he ned known [00288 and had boon associated with bin in tue worke lic stated thet as ne reealled, the last time he nad secon MooRs Vas “1, AUGUST LOSL when t00RE hac lcld a meeulny % wb one of une colo vad churcncs in Jacksonville to raise Eone, ‘for the cefense of the v0 neswo noYS da the Groveland case, who hed been shot by Sheriff UcCALL. Ue oem
cailea chet he had also seen HOORL 2b tite convention of the Rnicnts of
Pythias in 5 adonton, Mlorida least Herre ee *8 unable to offer ancbiiny: ov valuc perbainins to the riovenrients of OGRE since Last AUSUST
[nad No information as to wo > eat NEAVC Cor. wmibeed ~he be: WILY ab ids ner Cid he knot of aay motive isich misfit be behind tnczleite Tt was his oninion thet LOORE ay Have IpyspLrossc.. so:iwork:
4S bos iv: Cvidicant in nis beliefs and thus aixtanomined someone but he know uf no such
QIAO SY
He stated furtier he had heard that at the Dazrbone. seach incotine of une NAACP about tuo months aso, there had becn_sone opposition to HOG, sa.- In: thet ne was not doing a seed job, Tt vas pe eee opinion, NOWCTE?, Tiat . vuLs vould not enter into the present picture.
in continuing, [added treat on Jenuery 2, 1952 neo had rcecoivec a call Cro. & neorsorl tho idenbicie. iirmsel? as of the Pitts: esa COUR who vas dom in Florida te corer tc funcral of HARRY HoORo. dAccorc- fag sold arc to his offfco anc. talked with hin: about the boring Gn HIPS. eypressed the opi:sion tcl accordin;; to O10 Lavtorts statomens, thet this mishv save peor done yy; someonc close %o bie Sarliv, sa FINS was Lo vas the opinion thet tae explosive usc. vas poss!bI:- thet which was usec in the Ant. Ld) stated he asked [ids ne Was _seyine thet the Sergeant
320 wes home on leave misnt have done it, to wivicn
was & nossibility, According sof 2OUCTOr
-
In, 4
&
ed
~ 92 —
DIC
Bs dat :
dined fede Leal oO 270 i of axe motive which the Serscant micat ave nor dia ne offer any Laroriiation wield mim t supp port tis icea taat the Soi COCR UBS 2 SUBNCCUs
— advisa. ie vas UAAGE caaptcr in dacx sonvi lic, Florivca an i tlic local. chapter, having sueceoced in tis post Tht wel pase ee ee ee to *fuevisn ame aafcmiation concern- dag che Aneddent whi mixb coe to his attemoion and vhicn would aid in tes solmoien of tis” Sie :
K
sdvised thet SAL
weGihi, had direc. in ioecR, L951. [fvarthev
* * 2 eit eo Ay ¥ es Jt, .f 2a - ¥ - ae a - ate * ate 4; ate Ja oT ae Yn AGC. au Vas accueinbou ws Mobis TAY Te (0055 enc tacse tic Jess tine xe - * ? “ ee -_ 7 _*, ar ee ae a stg =. ri a ™ = wot “v4 + * 4 S85 a. 708 avout two montis ace who be ag tbo TOCORE enc nis iunbve w2iile “se eis # w we a. mS i we —_ ™ aH 1 ‘ - vey ay in Javone see BC, PLOL Ce « yorouucr whol: cARAY 2100 anc ALS Whie,
© SA sae AP oe . Ss 8s Sa SE% 2 rte sags ies al. eae Mag see . Si eA eZ BA GSTS, 780 Gin Mer Ol that particular sceuving and that ts the lest tite
he rac S564 ol ther Of Pitot.
‘le said ue, ne { condvctcd no Favestigation with THURGOOD Uanelinid of the WAaCP, relative to the shoovin: of the tim negroes invol Vee. an tic Groveland case. It vas his Opzon tne TARSHANL ny, heve Ddon cow AeTG DVG Ne Gid not sve lite
tetec. after the snoouins g LL
Jacksonvillo, Plorida, had called hin and eszed hii to so to ee wath [1], thet his, [__] nephow, D} Orlando, Floriia, hes boot
3 mouaincd 2S one of the attorneys to co pane f buns nevroos in tine Groveland
C&SC.o journe:ed to Orlemto with there they con Crrcy. 1 mon 9, accorsing tol 3 46 with bho S
~ ¥ € - .
pe
and a fellow neared [| in PACE Ln sfev Orleans. It was durines this conferen ee thaw the cucstion of HUOL?s activities in the Groveland caso hed coe up anc both [Jando _] [| stated that lGORE hed tekon no active part in the investicntion of
t
tO GAcouns of tac tuo bows in the Grovelain case oy Shernyy LicCALh.
ome -
all al af
-
. Ci _% * 7 . we - - .” rae am er * 4, ay : wet = - whe ated ’ = "mt Upon soceific cuesbioniny: ac to wbetner ue not he thought the “lan
& : had becn responsible for tis voribing, acrise. taat he Rai no sus- pecse Amn une berol a3 that 20 wid mot think Li was cone br the Klan since Lt vas iuis opinion that sh 10 Klar did not operate in this manner, lie saic tags Lo was his ODANLONy hovever, that tae wneughsbpehin’ the bomban: Vas Go.suziss inspirca aS oven sClns so rar as to sa, ib Was tnmbernationa al in ScODe Wiuu dussla vanting to discredit tho United States end using his as mr
WEIS OL Lo ne SO6«
t
WWB:JMS MM 14-270
He said further, of course, he felt that whoever did tite actual placing of. the bombs of explosive was probably someone familiar with the habits of MOORE.: It wast opinion that MOORE was not aggressive and he knew of _no enemies that. MOORE might have made because of any of his beliefs, [___] likewise volunteered he would be glad
to submit any information of value coming to his attention in the future to the Agents of the FBI.
b7C
of known reliability, a member of thel sido
the Ku Klux Klan #1 __| was interviewed on January 2, 1952 b2 by Special Agents and[Llat which > time he advised he had no information concerning the bombings either in BIC
Miami. or Mims, Florida. He said there had been no discussion either eID on the floor or off the floor concerning these matters at meetings.
He stated, further, that there had been no regular meeting of
the local Klavern on December 27, 1951 due to the holidays and [ b7D
This informant advised he would try to obtain all information possible but he was of the opinion, which was based on previous experience in the Klan, that they had nothing to do with it.
~ 9h -
b6G b7TC
FFMimsf -
MM AL-270 | - The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents andf Jon January, 1952.
BASIS: | furnished information to the effect that after “hs 1950 elections he had
heard from either or[ sthata
Mr, FORTENBERRY who had been defeated in the 1950 election for the office of County Commissioner or some of Mr, FORTENBERRY's friends were out to get HARRY T. MOORE; the victim. [_____— said that he had heard that FORTENBERRY blamed HARRY T. MOORE for his defeat,
advised that FORTENBERRY had been Chairman of the Gounty Commission and had been a County Commissioner for some 18 years. In addition to his County position as Chairman of the County Commissioners, ha was also Chairman of the Port Canaveral Authority,
FORTENBERRY is a man in his 70s originally coming to Florida from Mississippi, While he was Chairman of the County Commission he was Nalmost a dictator in the county", In his position he could be referred to as County "boss",
said it was his recollection that in the Primary Election held , - Spring of 1950 FORTENBERRY, whom[- ss knows only as Mr, JoPORTENEERRY, was elected to have his name placed on the ballet of the "General Election in November of 1950. In between the Primary end the General Election there was a considerable move throughout
the County to defeat FORTENBERRY for the position of County’ Commissioner and in the General Election by a write in wte was elected to the County Commission defeating FORTENBERRY, of
the Merritt Island Garage located just east of Cocoa on the Merritt Island Road.
[ said "FORTENBERRY still lasn't gotten over
his defeat",
| advised that of the Hamblin Gorve and Fruit Stand, located on
b6 b7C
MM 4-270 | 7 }
U. S, Route 1, approximately 34 miles South of Cocoa did considerable campéigning between the Primary and General Flections against FORTENBERRY, Much of [ ] campaigning was done among the colored people throughout the county and particularly in FORTENBERRY!s district. — recalled that there was considerable talk about the county concerning soliciting the aid of the Negro voting population to defeat RTENBERRY. oo indicated that both[(L__—~—“‘s;C*Cd ans Ce owe men of excellent reputation and he believed "there was no love lost between them and FORTENBORRY,."
When FORTENBERRY was defeated as County Commissioner he also was dropped out as Chairman of the Port Canaveral Authority. indicated that the Port Authority and the development of Port Canaveral was one of the pet projects of FO.:\TENBERRY and his removal as Chairman of the Port Authority probably hurt him as much as losing out as County Conmissioner, ° said that he did not have any direct knowledge but he believed FORTENBERRY to be the "behind the scene owner"! of the Brevard County weekly newspaper entitled "Hast Coast Trade Winds", In this connection it is to be noted that a copy of th Trade Winds Newspaper for Thursday January 3, 1952, hes been published and while it is a small weekly paper it contains no information corc ering ‘the bombing of the residence of HARRY T. MOORE,
advised that FORTENBERRY is the[)of a sawmill located on MERRITT Island Rad, He suggested that in the course of any investigation conducted by the Bureau with regard to FORTENBERRY
that we ascertain the identity of those employees who were working for the County under FORTENBERRY and who were not rehired when took over on the County Commission. In addition suggested to
particularly attempt to identify those persons who worked for FORTHNBERRY such as on the county road crew who were experienced in the use of explosives and who in turn were not rehired by
With regard to the election rally held on Merritt Island and referred to previously b stated that he had heard thet the who was hired by FORTSNBSRRY was at this meeting recording the license numbers of all automobiles. He said he can add the fact that this disrupted the meeting and considerably upset the Negroes who were there at the meeting. The
~ 96 -
MM 44.~270
said he hed no wey to prove it but said he was confident that to appear at the meeting and take down the license number of all automobiles.
~ O7 -
“ay
RIN: duis
MEE dh-270 . be ; b/c
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents [ co Janif on January 2, 3, and 4, 1952:
BASIS: To determine the location, supply and availability of cx plosives in the area of Brevard County, Florida and surrounding. COUNTICS »
af teas RE
The following are the two sources of supply for oxplosives in tic Brevard County areca:
or the Pritchard Hardware, 327 Washing~ ton Avenue, Titusville, Mlorida, advised that he sells 40% duPont dynamite.
His souree of supply is from the Merrill Dynamite Company of Jacksonville, FILOvLdae
[ said that his customers are the various grove owners who nave been’ purchasing dynamite from him for years. He adrised there aro no xreecords kept as to the sale of dynamite, the grove people merely come in, buy hat they need, use it in clearing their land and blowing away StUMPS o stated he has not sold any dynamite to any strangers and that
e would be aware of the persons wore strangers because his customers for explosives have been the same throughout the years. advised that the amount purchased by grove ommers soldom goes beyond three or four sticks
: J, Pa . at & UliIee
| oe Travis Hardware Store, 300 Delannoy Avomac,: Cocoa, Florida, advised that TRAVIS Hardware store sclls dynamite to the various grove owners in the area but thoy do not maintain records of Sale.
‘also stated that the customers are the same ones year in and year out.
they purchase four or five sticks of dynamite at a tine for clearing the
land and blasting stumps. He adviscd they use 105 Atlas dynamite and they also sell blasting caps and safoty fuse. vent on to say that their source
of supply is the MERRILL Dynamite Company ab Jacksonville » Florida.
The last lerge amount of dynarrite sold oy Travis Hardware was 100 Some odd cases of dynamite sold to the covormmont ab the UsSeAel. Guilded Missile Tost Center, Cocoa. These explosives were ordered through tho travis Hardware Company to the Merrill Dynanite Company, Jacksonville, Florida and the delivery was directly to Patrick Air Force Base from which the explosives were transported to the various island observation stations of the missile tracking range where it vas used for making aircraft runways.
~ 98 «
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RIV gis Mi £46270
further advised they sold a case of dynamite or two to the FIORIDA Pouer and Light Company Maintenance Shop at Cocoa.
Tp? tho Florida Povor and Light Company, LOL Breve venue, Cocoa, NLlorida, advised they purchased dynamite from the
Travis Hardware Company and use it in various maintenance jobs. This dyna~ mite is kept in a vault under lock and key. The supervisor maintains the keyg In the morning the amount of dynamite needed is located on the trucks, taken to the spot where it is to bo used and in the evening any dynamite that is left over is returned to the vavlt and locked up. A log is kept on the amount used and not used and there has been no dynamite missing from their supply.
Florida Power and light Company, 418 Washington Avenuc, Titusville, Florida, advised that they purchased small cuantitics of dynamite from the Travis Hardware Company at Cocoa and sometimes from Pritchard Hardware in Titusville. This dynamite is kept in a vault under lockand key and it is removed from the vault, taken to the area where it is to be used and any that is left over. is returned at night, removed fron the truck and placed in the vault. A log is kept on the supply. There have been no losses of dynamite from their suppl.
. EI GE Flovida Power and Light Company, Main- tenance Tard, Helbourne, Florida, advised that they keep a small supply of
dynamite that they purchase from Travis Nardware Companye This dynamite is kept in a vault under lock and key and he maintains the key of the vault. | it is taken out and used and any that is left over is returned to the vault. A log is kopt as to the source of supply. — advised he has not lost any dynamite nor has any dynamite been stolen from his maintenance yard e
Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa, TlOrida, revicwe e ijiens manifests which contained a cargo of dynamite purchased from Travis Hardware Company, Cocoa, Florida, He ad- vised what the 100 odd cases of dynamite purchased wore loaded aboard milivary aircraft and flown to the islands representing the tracking station of the Guided Missile Center stretching south from the Koys of Florida. This dynamite was used to clear the island surfaces for aircraft runways. said that all the dynamite wags delivered to its destination with nO LOSSeS. } .
the following hacdware stores in Brevard County wore cont . J wacted and bhe managers advised hey did not sell dynamite: 7 *
h
~ 99 .
rm
RIN: dis b6 MM Ad--2'70 b7C
*
Titusvillo Hardware Store, 301 Washington Avenue, Titusville Easo Coast Lumber and Supply Cormany, 222 King Street, Cocoa Cocoa Hardware Store, 313 Delannoy Street, Cocoa, Huggins Hardware Store, 232 lew Haven Street, Molbournc roome’s Hardware Store, South Dixie Highway, Melbourne
At Fort Pierce, Indian River County, Florida. \eecemeemeats| McGabe Herdware, 712 Orange Avenue, Fort Pierce, ad= vised thet he does not handle or sei cynanite « :
Putnam Hardware Store, 200 Orange Street, FOr Plerce, MLOrL &, aavasea that he sclls dynamite to the various
grove owmmers in the Fort Pierce area. He does not maintain a record of
Sale out his customers are the sane year in and jcay ovt, being the various
grove overs in the area and they seldom buy more than four or Tivo sticlts re
a6 8 tire. He us » dynarive and his source of supply is Mulberry, Florida, one oY bhe duPont Dynamite Compan.
Fort Pierce Hardware Store, 115 S. 5th Street, Fort Plerce, Florida, advised she docs not handle or sell dynamite
At Santord . oeminole Count ¥, Mlorida,.
| a Will Hardware Company, First Avenue and Palnetto, Sanford, Florida, advised that he does not handle or sell dynamite but he
understands that Chase and Company of Sanford, Florida uses dynamite in theiy fertilizer worl,
Chase and Company, Sanford, Florida » advised they use @ considerable amount of dynamite in Loosening their chemical fertilizer before it is shipped. This dynamite is kept in a vault oub of the county and the location of the vault is known only to the Chase and Company offi.ce eo thoy have not Jost any dynamite nor has any djmamite been stolen | tron GHOLL» Cea sed they buy their dynamite from the HLL] iro.Le- ment Company Located right noxt door to Chase and Compare
set eateries race the Hill Implement Corpany, Sanford, Florida, advised thas bhey sell dynamite to the various grove ormers in the
4
~ 100 -
b6 . b7C RIM: JUS UM Adj-270 -
avca and he does keep records of these salese He advised that these cus~ toners Rave been coming to his company for years to purchase small quantities of dynamite. The availeble records kept by were disolayed and the latest purchase was December 7, 1951 when a well known customer purchased three sticks of dynamite.
stated that they sell duPont 40% dynamite and they pur- chase it from Miami, Florida;Malberry, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. The dynamite is kept in a magazine located in the county and it is Locked and scaled. [~~ |could not stabe the name of any person’ in the Sanford area ho was particularly adept on the use of explosives except various Power and Light Company mene He said he does not sell any explosives other than tne dynamite and does not know any source where TNT or any other btype..of ex~ plosi.ve could be purchased.
eee advised his records are kept as a result of a recucst by the Florida Highway Patrol who asked hii to keep a record of dynanite sales subsequent to a blast that occurred in Tallahassce somc years back.
[ went on to say that if a stranger would request dynamite he requires the person to sign their namo and address and pnone nunber, he then refers this person to the Florida Highway Patrol, however, advised that he has not sold any dynamite to Strangers, that his sales are seldom over three or four sticks et a time, except to Chase and Company.
Ue S. Naval Auxiliary Air Station, santord, iLori Q&, advised that their supply of armunition con~ ists Oo: smal ammunition «30 and .50 calibre and dummy rockets.
stated this ammunition is counted as it is issued and counted as it is returned. He statcd the vockets used in practice firing had no explosive charge in them and thot the propulsion charge was black porder, The Air Station uses no obher type of oxplosive and no ammunition has been Lost or stolen,
At Deland Volusia County, Florida.
licNeely Hardvare Store, 132 Broadway, Daytona Beach, Florida, adviscd that he docs not sell dynernite or any other type of explosive. :
| {_ Dunn Brothers Hardware Company, South Beach Street, Dasrtone Beach, advised that they sell dynamite but they do not stock ite
[_ explained that they take orders-for dynamite and transmit them to the
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MERE TIL Denarite Company in Jacksonville, Florida and the alnd a is then Some dircectly to the customer or to the store where it is picked up by the customer o
LL | statcd their principal purchasers of dynamite are the Mpsery omMers or grove owners in the area, thoy arc old customors fron years back and the average purchase ? to his knowledge 9 Was aopout three to four sticks of dynamite. Other customer for the expl. osive is the Florida Power and Light Company and the last purchase nade by the Florida Power and Tight Company was one case of dynamite in December.
at. *~ I
t xyrne Beach, Volusie County, Florida.
ely 2
™
Furlong Hardware Store, 506 Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, advised his store did not sell dynamite or any other type of explosives.
the Whitney Hardware Store, 333 Canal street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, advised shat his store did not sell
dynamite or any other explosive.
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~ MM 4h~270
A eee investi a oe was conducted by Special sagonts an don January 4, 1952,
BASIS: To trace the source of the rumor given to [
t>) the effect that the FORTENBURRY contingent was holding HARRY T. MOORE responsible for FORTENBERRY!s defeat in the November, 1590 election and that they were out to get him.
S504 7 As hes been previously reportedL_____Istated kx received this information from either PT oor
411 of these individuals were contacted for ny knowledge in their possession as to the source of this informotion., all of thom stated that they had_heard somo rumors to that effect but could not recall ever having given the information.
At this point it is desired to point out that in order to arrive at the basis for[ sd telephone call to warn the MOORis not to come to Mims that the three above named individuals together with[ mot with Agents[Jena[ at residence, [Ls reiterated the fact thet he md roceived this information and he belicved that it md come from re of these three mon» He said that he felt so strongly about the information that ho hed ° immediately gone to his residence, ate his dinner, changed clothes and made a special trip to Orlando, Florida to get word to the MOORSs not to come to Mims. It will be recalled that ae previously stated thet he was afraid of having his call intercepted if he called fron Mims or the vicinity, thus his trip to Orlando,
The marest confirmation ss a basis for[___] phone call came from recelled that a day or two after the clection he_had_been discussi i j
ng if he thought that the colored people had done right in defeating FORTIONB URRY, said he told
[that the Progressive Voters League had advised them to vote for FORTENBRRY's opposition, [7_]said he also tola[__] i |
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brother of Judge CARLTON had been getting the white vote out in opposition to FORTGNBSRRY, [__]statod at was bo opinion that the colored vote had defeated FORTSNBeRRY. [_]stated[_]did n& seem to be bitter
about it and thet the conversation was of a general nature,
| Jexplaind that he did not recall, but perhaps after his conversation witht] he may have seen and recounted his conversation and thus his basis for [L____] trip to
While theso three mon were together, interviewing Agents inquired if any of them had been present at the meeting on Merritt_Isiond just shortly before the November, 1950, general clection at which
reportedly appeared for the purpose of dispursing the meeting, All three stated that thoy hed not been at the meeting. L____] recommended one [it Merritt Island stating he is a long time resident of Merritt Island and of complete reliability. [| pointed out that is a Icader of the colored people in the Merritt Island areca.
Incidental to the interviewL_—_—sdJ brought up the fect that a delegation from the Civil Rights Congress hed been present at HARRY T. MOOKts funeral. He stuted thatrone of them md been aware 2f the fact that this is a Communist organization and that this information has come to them aince the funeral. He pointed out that the delegation sent the largest and most beautiful floral piece. He stated that st the cemetery one of the delegition md opened a box of roses and Ind given the two daughters, ANNIS ROSALGA and 2, bouquet or corsage of these roses telling them to take them nome, also pointed out that Harhy T. MOORES wis in open opposition against the Communists and that he had constantly fought against them in his work in the NaaCP,
The intervicwing Agents also discussed with these men the — possibility thet HARRY T. MOQ! had become despondent because of his falling out with the NuaCP and therefore may mve attempted to comait suicide,
All four including7 sd emphatically stated they did not think
it was possible HARRY T. MOON hed committcd suicide, To substantiate
this they pointed out he appeared t2 be in good spirits during the time
he was here snd that he had eaten a hesrty meal and had engaged in the family talk during the family gathering.
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BED 3 d:5 il: bbe 20
GLeEAviLoa as condnectad o- Syccial Ascrus [
tac rollovwine investise [fend on danvary 4, 1952: endt sd
wADIDt imserviened concerning provilous conversation salt Woes wneroin it was allesed thet reported ls had neare. a munor to tuc cifcet thab an atkonpe | iad been made on MOORE’s lize Ina church in icst Paly Beach. sat * 7 ATK
2avisou converseati
as one of & syeow Ho ncle z latter the MOORS boriptiss at which tine ib :es iis
& colorec bor fro: Cocoa, nad
VEL cin
= af,
t
pes hie ccule. recall, ac Cocos &.1 Devasber a >t
aceruvite rocollection tha
ce Mr
saha he hed heard thet soneone in ituvs nad pace ea ronerlk to the crocs tat Wscmcone nad made et FLOORS at vest Palin Beacl: in oe chuee? but she nlot nad not wcen sarricd ovt for if so it would heve killed too mer peoole.
[ sala what the only persomhre_covuld resell thet vere pre- - ry CS
dane be Tavtan ta 1. Smmrge OF a te he Tyg ce ay - a ¥, ~ Vag od * tT a Ea) OG Curtis tits converssti were Hinsols, & Gad ae yor and san. lie did not »ress tic converse .icn an
fesuccr and ib vas lis best recollection was |had moroly heard somo- onc olse 2n tts meke the vonartse
™ rT ™ at at 1 . 7. n " “ "4 7 ee * a, * = 5 “ ™.
QC wes ao moasber of the AAACP end had least seon 170028 al - . ra r a ¥. wal ral
} ber, L95L hon traere
* + pT . qeacay 4 er 4,
concerning the negsi~
sald Zn tie i tusville Sheriff's office sor as sono alseussion bebieen WOORS end
i“.
?
Liv, OF appointment of a negro depute sher.et.
OREO oes oe Wp SAL bint’ Lb vas pis recollection J. *. ms ele Ve * + . am, we = . * * * T,. ‘, “- *s Wide Ge Ane Orme 202 concoming the theens on wOORS at Vost Pala: Beach head JOC Pies “fF : 1 9 1G TG: 7 . "G6 poch originally siontioned b: iO said that ho had heard it 7
mm we
SOMCOLC £4 iLLAS « coule not cleborate Lursbor,
euplovon as a enb criver br LAM§%s Cab Core socalica bein: present aur; bho conversatio: GY
. J mre *, 4. T Ten
and wher the LOGE bonbiny Las discussed, hovever,
Ve * - 2 1 ~ 7 - ten} ee 1 3 ’ fh received & call for a tare end lets the spoun and was nou t i
Stee et seanele tn may" nwa fe ye any a. . oe dagen =. "1 DECSLS WAC a worence to a ..cst Yair. Beaen Hhroot Qare@asy wiCO.er Weg = an ee 1? % v7) - + + a * discussec. could fuemish no additional inforustio: beartne uvor a 7 at “ /_
ry
- 105 - .
IDs dis tat Adm 240
,
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oS
Also interviéwed was new, Loscinge “nO Guvisea he ias not vorsonally a ever rbed wits ly Jd suriish ne information concering SUS)
or :00n%s past activibicse
&
colorca, Cocoa Pulice Depar
© ©
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bICc
fae rolloving investigation was conductcd ay Special Acents [ [Jane on daniary: 2, 1952: |
DASIS: Le? Dufir*s Frusct 5 aig also a grove omer ii ims, Florida and a ian who is well
: une Bureau Agents workin: in the Da;rtona Seacn Resident Asioner, Vas contacted concertina the Local volitical situation
end and siestaurant
* 4
Of ‘one Counti Commission icho vias dcteated bi: a “mite-in® vote 7m tne 1950 sonerval cleetion.
ale
rare as
ry
of Durry?s Fruit Stand and Restaurant and also a grove omer in hins, Florida, who is iicll mno.m to Dureau Agents working in the Wu tone Seach Resident Agency, vas interviewed concorniny the political Slvvavlon in Brevard Count:.
advised that A. FORTIIRGRLY 2ad Deon Chaivman of the Cours, Cormission Yor around 10 years and had becn a mombor of the County Co:mission Lor man, veers previous to that. Te Dolieved FORTMBUNRY orig- 2ueli- cane from iiississipni.. A group of businessmen in Brevard County vho Were goucrally irritated and concerned over tac county political set-u, raliioc, together and manarced to defcat FORTENTALY. Tho defcat of FORLEX~ DERRY vas one of those impossible thinrs thet never hapocne
explainea that the goncral concensus in the county was that FONT ELEY could nave his job as Chaizian of the County Commission as lon: QS lu Coshred to be a candidate for tho positions thes over the wens years FOE oa wt bed built up @ Lormidablé wacnine anc. there vas not enough surensta io. the county to oust hin. Ue sata thet “PORTDSBERRY was parbicu- lavly strong oecause there are five County Commissioners and cach is nom. inated frou a particular district in the counts; FOxTEISLARY boinc froma the Cocos, Disurict, Brevard County belag a count; narrow in inidth end 72 miles in louen Lb vas difficult to reall; eb the noxth and south portions of the
eae
courte, ayy strength to oppose FORTEURERLY at the polls.
acced thas most of the businesscicn in the count: end Loar ne vesidents generally considercad PORGEIDERRY Terooked! altnousn there “eG 20 Vax to prove such en allogation, YORTETHLERY exploited tho job of Couns;: Coimissioncr for his om porsonal sein aad vory little offort was *}
Cc.
‘eet
divtcecsc. tO the dencfit of all citizens of tho Count, «
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bé
said he believed that FORTIN aeleta Y nad never gotten over
nig loss en thas he would be sack ab the polis Pighting %O again ¢ cadn 2016
of he Gourty Cormission. tie said that in the event FORTHAB ERA - could we LOMO! gated he could - eutanatically beconrc Chairman of the, Gonsniission as Sho pan unc hes aeld the County Commissioners job the greatest number OL
* -
‘cars 15 automatically made Cheizmene.
[| said that a person vino tas ver, close to the scone and.
a ag vowtliogd excovencely: hard to ccofeat FORT? a Eat EL 788 2 nan oy the nmr or mmr
and he vas comtA.cen 30 ould bo willing to LUPMGS 7 3ue you Agonts iath consiacrable nae sarond In formacilon concornin: FC yaa per y a+
a as ed, Je oo @
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: ne fone Lnvestigation tias conducted py Leena BIC
GPA; JMS bal Ah~270
b6 on January 4 and 5, 1952: XASIS;: Interview of KKK informants in ats Chpt to ldentifty tio
hice ren who came to Mins, Florida about July, 1951 inouiring about HARRY T. CORE.
*
Conridentiel Infomant| of known reliability, who has bocn a menber of the Of vite ku Klu: Klen et
for advised that tuc description of the ,-L b?2 ral as deserved D; met the description of TILLMAN i. b6 DEININ. said tnat BELVIN had for-erly Deen a momber of the KKK or b7C Georgie, which nad an organization in Orlando, Florida. LJ stated the b7D he Kaci: NELVIN to be of bad reputation end that ho Was expelled fron the Georgia Klan for activities Lnvolving violence. advised further thet
SuLVIN is regarded as a "roneyade# because he continued his activities even arver he was expelled from the Klan,
advised further that tho descrivtion of :2/iran as given > [] b2 Was Sliniler to the deseription of BART BROOKLYN, who is pre= bo Se:wty cuployed at. the Super Concrete Cormany, Orl MG0, Florida, [ ] said bic. BROOKLIN alvays wore a baseball cap, usually red in color and is a snort BID suodk, person. He advised further that BiOCXLZN is also considercd a rchosade for the same reason as JELVIN. [ ] Gio, nob know what type of per- sonal. automobiles these two individuals owned « Confidential Infornant[ |] of tenon reliability, who has beon | Closel:- associated with KLAN activities in the State of Florida for the last ©¢ ten Feavs, advised that jl was practically identical with the description pip oO. Ue Il. BELVIN and that 2 ran was vor; Similar to that of EARL DROOKLY. ile stated that BELVIN and BROOKLYN and sone other individuals vere considered aS ronevades by Klansmon in the Apooa and Ov'lando area. He exolained that aporecimetely two years agO SULVIN and AROCKEEN ~cre expelled from the Georcie Association of the KKK because OF acts: of ViOlonce, which were against che Klan rul.os. . Said that these two and three ob} “M10 Ls the SHOGLLI and- the o
ors were oxpellied end that Later - reinstalled BELVIE, 57
au yecauso of this a -group DIC
ner ingividuels, GQvisec. oh
“a SV raen = t,t * a rt 2 a ay ’ . " : GO. Mowers of the Association oi Georgia iflens lott that Klan ang formed a b7D lan uncer tne Southern knights of the KKK,. This Klan is [
Ou Tallahassee, Florida.
)
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~ rg . ‘ “Ft te ar = ff & 3 f a
CPAg dis rel L276
Were -COl-=
SLGOVGE tO pe rencead or Orange Count; 62
Anonisa, rioride: - avers © foonka, lorida : b7D
[_|stated thet] _]sia aecone & menner of the Southern Knish: Wut sonic Of the morvocrs founs he vas beating negroes and
OF t1e nah at Aponka and POD, tNOne For this rcason was epelled trom tno Klan at Apopka,
b2 bé b7C b7D
of vc Lavver from that time until he road ia tue paper thet HOORE was killed by: an ecplosion in lis home. [also said all zembers of the KKK knew that
if an fe MOORE was head of the HAACP in the OLate of Flocida and thet was
fee te ao 6 7”
the onl: coason wine ther vanted te £Ob iviere
ne informant advised furthor + nat alJ. the people he listed as ronerzades keve a very poor reputation and that he ves almost posivive ther were Sesvonsible for burning down a houso near Orlando, Florida, anproxi- navel oue Year aco. fic stated that these mon apnearcc to oo mentally vi- ba. anced over the acsro cuestion and that they go out of their way to do hasm vo negroes, The informant said that vas one eeason way the: vere ox pellec from the Klen. |
; chase ant said that in his opinion tho men that ble up ‘the
NnoUscor ates , L Tal rah sey) ¥ " aye $ “ Steyeyqee te wee'ta af - ‘ > lms .
eens Wo mide ° Se aaah opao ly got the idea ivor, the bombings being done in Me ety ee te Sala 1b Was wis experionee that one group of Klansmon
*
woula follow; another group in sone forrs of violenco.
i,t Sam oft °y * ve * : 7 + _* . con aet. _ the tormant advised further _tuet he kneir thet had @ sub- Macnsvo “un and that on ons oceasionf ~~ [nec driven through the colored | Pe bic
Speree, oye ta 1» : rl ~ wa , 4 as sec gon oF fpopka "looking for an ocuse to USC 200" lic said it ims possibl had other fircams and explosives at his home in Apopka.
i, “ ot om . 4 o * ° . . ‘ ? ne ay. the litormant also adviscd he hax recenuly heard BELVIN had been vorlcine av wnc Orlando Air Force Bese » Orlando, Florida, ~
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’ al
®
CPA: JMS : MM 14/270 [] advised that the person who isl __lor the Klan activities in the Cocoa, Titusville and New na Beach, Florida, area is stated that of the Kidd Furniture Company in Cocoa
and thatL___Jalso has stores in Titusville and New Smyrna. [_]was not sure whether or not there is an active Klan in this area but stated] had been trying to organize a Klan,
Confidential Informant [___] of known reliability, who has been
associated with Klan activities in the Central Florida area for the
stated the description of the #1 man as given b was similar to that of T, H. BELVIN and the description of the #2 man was similar to EARL BROOKLYN. He described these two men as being of very poor reputation and constant troublemakers. [___] in fact, substantially furnished the same information as[___]regarding these two individuals, He said he recalled the time BARL I
could not recall seeing the plan 4 or the MOORE house although he pointed out that he was very busy at that time and had other problems and it was possibly BROOKLYN-did have the plan of the MOORE house at that meeting. He &lso verified the fact that HARRY T.. MOORE and all other leaders of the NAACP were well known to the-Klan members.
b2
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b2 advised further that EARL BROOKLYN had three fingers missing from, <
his left hand. In this regard it is to be noted that r ]stated
that he observed that the short, stout man kept his hands in his pockets _ during the entire time he was in the Mims Confectionery Store,
Confidential Informant] of known reliability, who has been associated in Klan activities for the[————_ssupon being re- contacted, advised that one member of the Klan at Winter Garden, Florida, which is a branch of the Association of Georgia Klans, resides near Mims, Florida. He said this person's name i __ and that[___lis employed as a salesman by the Stauffer Chemical Company which has a branch office in Apopka, Florida, seid that [_]was considered to be a loud-—mouthed individual and that had been bragging around Winter Garden that he knew all about the bombing of the MOORE residence, According to had told _some people in Winter Garden that the first thing
of Brevard County did efter hearing of the explosion was to telephone him.
L_|stated that[7_] had indicated he did have information ‘concerning the explosion and that [__|thought it possible [__lJhad furnished MOORE's activities to some members of the Klan, :
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b2 bo b7Cc b7D
b2 b7D
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RIN:emsf
Mir AL-270
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents andl Jon January 5, 1952.
of Scottsmoor Goves of the DUN" i i G ida and was interviewed through a chance contact and volunteered the following inform tion:
He has always considered the relationship between the white and colored population in the Mims and Brevard County area to be above average, has never known of any outright friction between the whites and the colored people and was insistent in his opinion that the explosion which caused the dea Lostant victims was a person or persons outside of Brevard County, has known HARHKY T, MOORE for many years but only hed direct contact with him as a result of the various el«ctions in the county. He as well as the other candidates for election were: aware of the fact that HARRY T. MOORE was a leader among the Negroes in Brevard County. He related that in the last general election in 1948 all the candidates for election in Brevard County approached HARRY T. 00k in order to explain to him their views, aims and proposed program if elected, Prior to the clections the Negroes would hold mectings in certiin of their churches in order to decide among themselves which candidates to support. |__| stated that he received the support of the Negro vote in the last general -iection in 1948 because he has
always showed an intorcst in the welfare of the Negroes in tie community. He advised that a few years ago a man by the name of a of Orlando, Florida vho was formerly a tax collector in OfTando purchased
a considerable portion of land along the St. Johns River near iims. It so happened that the popular Negro picwic area on the banks of the St. Johns
happened _to be located within the acerage perchased by sid Co orrenged to have a fence and gate erected across the
public road which led from the main highway to the picnic grounds, Through the efforts of L_____] condemation proceedings were instituted in order to obtain that smell portion of land along the St, Johns River commonly used by the Negross for their picnics,
¥
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MMi Ah-270
volunteered informtion concerning the latest election which was held in 1950. In that election the Chairman of the Brevard County Commission, ANDREW PORTENSE HMaY, Of Cocoa, Florida, was up for re-election. de was able to he primary election over JOH RARTIN and a man by the name of However, when the final election was held in November , 1950, ANDRuyATORTENSERRY was defeated through write-in votes, the winncr being DaWID NISBET. considered the defe.t of Mr, FORTENBERRY extremely unusual and also mentioned that Mr. NISBET did not even actively campaign for the position. However he did know that many people did actively electioncer for NISBET. [sd alleges that early in the morning of the final election sometime about 5:00 AM or thereabout slips of paper contzining the name off Candiidatefor U. S. Senator and DAVID NISBET for Brevard County Commissioner were distributed to the Negroes in the Bervard County area with instructions to them that they should write in those names on the ballot. [[_ |stated that there is no doybt that HARRY T. MvORH had something to do with these slips of paper which promoted the write~in votes and that "money passed hands",
It should be noted that[_| mentioned that’in his opinion the influence of HARRY T. MOO:E among the colored poople in Brevard County was over rated and that he might not have been able to influence more than 25> per cent of the Negro vote in an election.
[ss tated that a person named[ over at Gray's
Tourist Court, near Scottsmoor Grove, Florida, had told hi 7 that Govermor WARREN had put money.into the hands of HARRY T. MOORH to influence the Negro vote, and[___]further felt that HARRY T. MOORE might have been paid by both sides in the State Eisction contests,
[| described ANDSEW FORTENBIRRY as an open advocate ‘ of the principles and ideals of the late Senator BILBO of Mississippi. However, a actively supported the candidacy of ANDREW FORTENBERRY in the 1950 County Commission Election end in order to convince the _ Negro voters that Mr, FORTSNB2RRY should reccive their support explained to them that Mr, FORTENBERRY saprerted the condemnation proceedings to
een nhs nt a grounds along the St. Johns River from land owned by
MM 44~270
stated that on the cvening of instant explosion Pe A ho was in his bedroom on the second floor of his home which is Locsted slightly north of the main intersection of Mims, recalled hearing the clock strike 10:00 o'clock that evening but does not rocall hearing any explosion or unusual noise. He explained that he might have been asleep at the time or the noise might have been obliternted by tne heavy truck traffic passing his home,
~ 114.-
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ME L270
The following investigation was conducted by Spccial gents. Co and Pon darmary 5, 1952. B.5I5; It hes been deemed advantageous to review the correspondence
Brevard County, Titusville. THOME
of Brevard County in Titusville, Florida, mde available all the correspondence which he and his assistants were able to locate pertaining to HaRRY T. MOORE, He explained that only correspondence and files for the past 24 years are mainteined in the current files at the Brevard County Court House in Titusville. All other fliles and correspondence are packed away in a small room which acts as the store room for the old files. It is possible that other correspondence prior to January, 1949, can not be readily located in this old file room due to the Inck of a filing system, The correspondence pertaining to HARRY T. MOORE mainly relates to the period when he was principal of the Mims Negro elementary school, The only recent correspondence contained in this file were three letters, one dated October 4, 1950, one dated November 21, 1950, and:one dated December 5, 1950, all of which pertain t>» the school bond issues which were being considered in the coming elections. The correspondence also appealed for funds to hire a-janitor for the Negro elementary school at Mims and also to improve the facilities of the school, There was nothing personsl in tno correspondence, but was a routine effort on the part of the Progressive Voters League to improve conditions in the Negr> schools.
[advised that in his opinion since WOORE's death many people have been discussing HARRY T,. MOORH's value to the community and it is a opinion that they are attempting to make him a more important man than he actually was. Whereas[-] stated it was his Apinion that HARRY T. MOORE was not an overly intelligent person. He was inclined to be lazy in comparison with som of the oth:r Negro school principals. PS hrent on to state thet he was referring to MOORE just in the light as he knew him in connection with the Board of Education, He knew nothing of MOORH's outside sctivitics or his personal life,
stated that he never knew HakRY T. MOORE was involved in the activities of the NAACP until the recent publicity resulting from his death. He stated the last time he saw MOORE was the Saturday before MOORE!s doath and at that time he had just noticed him on a street corner in Titusville. He did not spcak to LOORE at that time but just remahbercd thet he saw him,
~ 115 ~
MM 44~270
Insofar as the termination_of MOORE's employment as principal
in the Mims Negro school is concerned, believes thet there is a letter of resignation somewtere in the files but also believes that b6é MOOR%'s resignation might have been prompted by the fact timt he_knew his bIC
contract was not going to be renewed for the year 1946 ~ 1947,
also explained that since learning of MOOREts extensive activities on
behalf of the Progressive Voters League and the NiACP, it is possible that
at the time MOORT's employment by the Board of fiducation wes terminated or
he resigned MOOR might have been already engaged in these outside activities to the point that he intended to dedicste his entire efforts to the work
of those organizations, He felt that they were the factors that interfered with his doing a good job as principal,
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Mit L4-270
Lhe following inveaticztion was conducted by Speci2zl Agents andl Jon Jemnry 5, 1952.
~
BaSIS: To determine from DENNIS SaWY:R, Merritt Island, Florida, any information in his possession concerning the Noveber, 1950, elections involving ANDRGW FORTIN .wRY and his anamosity to victim HaRRY T. MOORE,
sR
On interview DeWNIS SWE uR stated he last saw HARRY T. MOORE approxim:tely two or three months ago at a meeting in Cocoa which meeting was for the purpose of raising funds for the NAACP, The meeting was held at the Colored Baptist Church in Merritt Island. He stated that at this meeting there was no mention mide of the "Groveland Case",
Concerning FORTUNBEREY, SawYtR stated he haslnown FORTIN -RRY for many years and considered him 2 good County Commissiionur. He stated FORTENB :RRY had promised him, SAWY3R, to get several things for the colored population of Merritt Island in the nature of civic improvements,
SaWYR noted that FORTINBEN2Y had fallen dwn on may of these promises but he fslt that FORTENBERRY had good reason for not having them done.
Concerning FORTENBIREY!s defeat in the November, 1950, election, SaWY ui strtod that the white people were the most anxious t>2 sce SORTSNSERRY out of office. He statcd that the Progressive Voters ‘Teague had also backed up the FORTENBGRRY op .osition and that consequently the colored population of Brevard County had followed the Progressive Voters League. SaWZiR stited that to the best of his knowledge the IJpposition to FORTANSERRY stemned from FORTENBURRY's failure to keep his political promises, He stated that he md'mver heard that FORTGNBERRY blamed MOOK; or the colored vote for his dofeat,
SAWYER stated he hod been vresent at a meting of the colored people in the Merritt Island arca shortly before the November, 1900 elections
at which meeting a white man was present. He s at a county officer who was a under FORTENB my, had come to the meeting apparen rying to break the nveting up. SAW
stated that curing the timeL____]was present he, SAWY5R, had remained inside the meeting m11 and did not hear or see any of the activity
sutside, according to SAWYER, Ls went out and spoke toL____] and apparently convinced him to go away. ifter that the meeting continued,
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Aceording t7 S/WYSR the victin, HARRY T. MOORH, was present at tho inmcoting and gave a short speech t»> the assembly, The general theme of his speech
was to the effect that if DAVE NISBET was clected he would undertake to protect and defend the rights of the. Negro people of Brevard County,
Concerning TORTSNBERRY himself, SaWYGR stated he has approximately six colored men wrking for him at his sawiill and wh Live: on FO TENB URRY! s property He recalled the mmes of
7} anc
He also recalled that oneL sd who resides in a small house opposite the Negro Baptist Church in Merritt +sland also worked for FORTINBERRY at one time, In this connection he noted that
had been on the county payroll up to the time of FORTINBERRY's defcat and that he md been allowed to remain on the payroll until a replacement could be found for‘him. SAWYER noted that —— had also done wrk for FORTENBURRY personally around FORTENBORRY's home, -
During the interview ‘ht developed that DENNIS S.uwWYcR has been acquainted with both Hi’RY T. MOORE and HARRIRTT MOOue for a period of approximately 20 years aml he noted that the MOORTs hed resided in his home during the time HARRY T. MOOR was principal of the colored Grammar Sch ol at Merritt Island, “
| It should be nobed that DENNIS SaWYsR is 7/ years of ago and has lived in Merritt Island at his mwesent address for the past 45 to 50 yoars. He st»ted he was born in the Bahamas in Nassau and is a naturalized United States citizen,
During the interview SaWYER printed out that he many years ago had begun agitation to obtain equal facilities for Negro children in the schools. Ho stated he had made many contacts with the State and county officials for this purpose, According to S.WYIR all of these officials had discouraged him in his effortt and he eventually reached & point where he felt hc was unable t> do any good in this line of endeavor. He stated that at this point HalRY T. MOORE had takon up his work at his Suggestion and had carried on through the years. according to SAWYER as a result of MOO.&i's efforts in this direction he wd beon dropped from the. school system. g
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5
THO Do investisation was conducted vy Special Asents[- |
AWD on January 5, 1952:
, oohSIS: Folloring intervieved as they arc the nearest xv %O the scone of the explosion, living in tite residential several nendred vards north of the residence of HARRY T. Hoorn.
i ©
siacnts v2
*
aavised tne heve lived in Titusville since 1946 and in their present residence vor the pass veare [Lis a commercial fisherman aud truck driver.
He advised that he and his wife haa just retired on the nisht of Decomoor 25, 1951 when the heard a terrific explosion. [__]stated he o¢lileved at first the explosion had oceuri ree just ‘south of nis residence but immediately after the explosior % oF ved and went out into nis feos ard. It is noted here that Trot yard is approximatel; Li Varas Lrom the intersection of the herd too road running in wront of ene LOCK: residence. svated he noted no signs of en exolosion. ows ater hesitating in his front yard Lor approcr avery 15 seconas, he oo- SCrveo, & Cat’, rake, model and description unknown, vrocecding at a slo race of spocd ine northerly direction along the road running ia Front of ~HOORE?s residence. flo stated that ho could not tell amrthine abou pents of this car, noted only that car Lignos were vather din and UjJOn Peaching the road mumnine in an CaSt=csu aqirection the car hesi Lbater noriewarily, turned cast across the railroad tracks and as best he could de- tem dine, pzoccoded north on U.S. Highwas viel | voiced the opinion wasely that he felt that this car aust “ave goon driving along the road divectly in front of the MOORE residence at the time o? the oxplosion .
4
“ahion coincides with infor- or Titusville to the
Iu 1s pointed out herc_tz% nation fuvirished previously by effect that he and OL FOES g vlorida, were driving directly Ln Pvort O. ' the HCQtn residence at the time of the crplosion on the night of Decswer 25, 1951; that because of frimht he could not kceo his foot on the
Se
ces and aa slowed tne car_doim after the exnlosion after which they proceeded nox tO the rcsidence of WiNLOUL Stoppings st the sccrie.
deeton * suated he did not rake further incviries regarding the ex P-O5_01 ou returned to bad,
st
. vated ne did not ~o to tne HOORG residence until epprowt ~ mately LUT. on Ue ccnesda:, Deca: 5 4 “ etle tO day, December 26, 1951. He stated he had not knots:
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HARA SOON or am of HOORE*s rcolabives or in-laws. He voluntcercd he nobea Ao clor of eny kind the morning of Deceitocr 26, A951 at the scone oe we oxplosion. He stated that while living ‘and worlting in and around HONS HC: has uae scen or heard of any trouble hetiveon the white and colored people, He stated he knows of no cnemles HOOK richt heve had in this vicinity and since wie cyplosion has heard nothing woich might shed light on the incidertt. voluntcercd his cooperation in Lurnisning amr information vhatsoover Which gorncs to his attention reyarding the incident.
“iis, Florica, advised thet on Deceriber aoe 105). uncy both were visiting her rolatives ‘in pavannan, Georgia. acvisced they proceeded to Savennah on the Saturday preceding cone fy ai, votuened to their hore in Miuazs on she fol}. whlasy Saturday afternoon. P liicated he is employed at the Uovins Packin? House ia firs, Florida anu thas his ulfe is tommorarily onployed at the Blue Goose Pacicing House.
Iu was indicated that duc to their absences Zror: the city thoy were unieniliar with any of the details surroundiny tie explosion, were unable bo wurden any information which would indicetc thet any suspicious persons wore An the neighborhood and, to the best of their Knowlodgce, do not rocall ai vurlo’s indicating there were an; racial difficulties cxisting ia itics,
Blowida. [ advised he was not porsonall- corvuaintod rith the victins ! wep ae *. a % 1 a oh . + i . ae, ™ ‘ 4 5 puu ald <now MOOR by sight as he had seen hie: onlir on occasions while both Were ac tno local Post Office. Noither of these individuals were able to
furiisn am: inforration relative to instant investivation.
, : aa residents of Mins who operate a tevera ~ AF rybtey? = Ss na * as . 4 * s Ue ona a Tair males north of Bins a UPOl Anvervicew advised the: did not know
Viewiics HARRY and HARRIETT KOCRE and the: the: are not accueinted with rele~ VAVCS OF tre Vvictins, stated he had suveral tines scen who nad becn pointed out to hic: ag @ Dlock layer in Muas end Vicinity.
S L
. the[ __advisei thet thoy ned relabives visitine ther. from Initane uring tne Christras holidays; that es ib was anusy scason at their nlace ox business they had Spent uiost of theiy tise at the tavern and nad stayed at their residence while not Working; and that thoy and their relatives
hac spent all of Christinas day and until after ridnicht Christuss Nieno ay une vavern. Tho en ee they nad not heard or felt the blest of the exnLosion and knetr notning of the incident until the followins morning sen
& Pesicoit just north of his tavern coriicented about hearing whet aPPocarcd to be ax cxplosion the night before. Iv is observed that wne tavern is located
appro: unetels three miles from tic eosiderce of HARRY MOORE,
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b7c PCC: oo wyen = @ if OF 7 fiw : wns / 4 ‘Tic [advised troy did 20% visit tne scene of the cxplosiion uixsil, Sunday, December 30, 1951 and then did not make a close insvection of
7
% Ic S nlosie: scene. ‘ They advised that to their knowledse the white vesi- dents Oo. roms got along Pinc with the colorcd residents nere and they could e
4 q
furmise: no information regarding amr trouble or disturbances between races.
[ advised he knew notaing of HOOKM4%s activities until after the o:mplosion when he heard that 002M had Deen cute active in the Pro- rassive yotcrs League» ue yoluntcercd that he imei nothing of MOORE’s polisical activity cluncr in tims or otner parts of Florida. through discreet; cuestioning, [ _Jacwised there had een a failed avy negro vote cast during the 1950 clections at which time DAVE NTS sat jad been elected Counts y¥ Corti ssioney through a “wite-in vote, de- feating incumbent ANDY FORTENBERRY, who hac neld this office for over 20 years. L Jadvised_tiat PORTENGERRY had boon supported’ in Mins by Count: Corruissiioner DUNN end~ sho operates onc of the local truck stops. liovrever' Was unable vO Lurnisn Turtvher information atone tris linc but stcbod ho had heard chat DUN aad Ld ac. sponsored 2 barbecue _or fis le, for negrocs of tims in supoort of FORTHTEREYS candidacy. could finish no further information resarding HARRY MOORK"’s activity and coul. Surnish nothing as to aryrone in icims tho micht heve had a rrudce Bos nee WOOK. He and his .ife volunteered taeiv cooperation in furnishing Qt" LE
1. 7
Q.mation which Micht be of intercst or value to this investigation.
residents of ims for the pass 2. ears, a0Va.s oa they knew WARY 2200s onde bs: sighte LS Ore plov-ed as a laborer at tho. ‘Blue Goose Packing House, Mims and is & cousewife. TT hey advised thoy wore in bed &b their home about 9 ofclock a Ciyeson hte | Stated me was not aijakencd by amr evplosion said that sometine afte: soins to bed she was awakened by a lous noise, Thoy adviseu tacy did not set wn to make any inoulries in this resarc and Lt was not until she nowt morn: Lig wnat taes heard of the oa: cplo- sion 23 HOON%s residence. Tney relatea they have not beer to the oxmlosi.on scenc siiuce it occurred.
[LY stated as fae as tner knew the relationsitinsbco~ teen tae waite and colored people in %! us vicsarty nave beon food. — advised ne has noted no ill will or fri 2 ncacen the races at tne place ne is oimloyed at the packing house wh ere doun wae Waite and colored york si.ac 2" side. They advised MOORE had never bcen to their nouse and to their noledye he had not visited other people in the neighborhood, They stated te, had noted no strange individuals or cars in tho neignbornood during Christ HAS Ce, stated they have not heard anrone cxpress amy opinions or give any
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incicavion as to tic cause or reason ror vic explosion and both plcaged
noir ccoperation in furnisning to Bureau Arents any information «hich misht
oc of valuc to this investisation.
ce
» Ciplo;ed as night attendant
at Durr, *s Standard Service Station, iaris, upon intervici advised that he hag slept sll day Christras day, had gone to Nor ab 7 Pelle Christmas Muse and Was on duty at the service station in cdormto.m iis vhnen he and & cusvoncer standing underneath tne riarquec av tne eveeros heard a loud NOLS [ls taved he and the customer remarked 2% sounded Like a tire olor ous on one of the large truck vans parsed across fr m his station and ‘bney passed wae incident uo with that
[] stated it was not until asproinetcl, 2 A.M. December 26 , Shei _he knew of the explosion et NOE’ s rosidonce . It vas about 2 Ai. dvove into his station fox sas as 2& Vas fopey av the tire reliaczed vol] that it was a bac dazr for drivi fiat to which replicd wnat it had been a bad day ali ’ BLOUNG « “plained by telling Cc] of tne vombing; of the HOORL resi~ donee, treat AC y LS) eats nad just returned frou taking HARRY and WAQR TTY MOORE LO Sanrvord were BARRY WOO had diced in a local, hospital and ne had left nis sisver, HABISTT MOORE, in a ver; oad condition.
1951. WAG
ah,
[| stated that ho eh HARRY MOORE from HOORE%s visits to nis Station to set ra stascd ne know of no raciel disturbances in or
BPO LEG, baat h xnevw of no one in Hills y white or colored, who right nave Nae an, srudse epains & MOOR, add: Ang thes ne know: Little of MOORE's activities ehor yo his Ceatn. Ile stated ne knew notnin: ee might be of valuc rorarc- ine tne oxplosion and had heard verj livcle op:ini. oxpresscd by local resi- Gents regarding the reason bchind the ponbing or Luho? wekt have cormitted the ACs
L stated he had visited the explosion scene on wednesday, December 26, 1751 and observed the smell crater in the cround left »; the exolosive and tie damazo' to the building. [| volunteerod that he formerly worked at a rocs cuarry in the New Bogard States ene that he dic not beliove dinamite had gcon used in the explosion at the 0Oms residence. He exmressed his opinion thas IS would take to nen to Carry. Ane dourcite to cause the destruction
tO wv'te building tnavy was noted at the MOOR residence.” ie expresscd the op~ inion, vased on nis experience iith dyna 2be, Share the main force of a dynamite cxtplosion is downward. [le stated that had dynarrite been used at the HCORE residence ib could not have possibl; treexed the duell4 ing in the manner which
L& “as erecked becausc of the cpen svace on ell sides Botucon bhe ground and
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taze floor and sills o: the buildinc.
a concluded that he would gladly furnish to Bureau Arents any infos ation he may pick up in his contacts with Local people from day te ceyr or in referring Agents to individuals who re mey determine to knoi an, tring of instant explosion.
advised they have lived in and around tars Lor three years and av their prescnt residence since July, 1951. is omployed by the PAUL SLIT: Construction Co: many at Cocoa, Mlorida. Hc and his wife advised they hed retired carly on Christnas HLS 5 tueat the, were not avaiconcd oy amr explosion or loud noise thet nicht and Know nothing of the bombing of UCONZ%s resiconce witil the follotring da; Wnen ne ves told by a follow worker’ who had heard of vhe explosion.
The lL advisod they did not know BARRY M 2B: did not kno: that a ctlored family lived in the HOO? residence, statine that since ho Net. scea vhite people working in the small Erove immediately in front of bic WOORG residence, he wes of the Opinion that white people lived thera nO Stavod he did not know amy of NOORE’s reletives or in=Laus living in HANS o ‘
[| stated he knows and hes talked to several white people in and AYOURd wis, that he has always worked exrouwnxl colored people anc has never seen or heard of any racial disturbances in if: s or Vicinity between white ark. colored people. He stated he has heard no Opinions expressed as to the Nei'sons Uho right have comitted this act except that one colorcd resident voiced the opinion thet he did not belicve it vas cormitteda b. any local per- son, clvner white or colored but that it was done by” Somcoric outside of
1B? Ge
sothL___, and wife, who is alo-ed on 2 Blie Coose Packing House, voluntcered to furnish aay Infornation which mignt
cone vO Guclir attention that would be of valve in this Wivestigation.
part tine basis at the i.
or tac local Baptist Church, advised that he has Lived In the parsonarce for only 17 wonths. He stated that duzing recent months he has been able to svend only weekends in Muss eas he Leinvains a nome in Orlando where he stavs most of the tine except for tuo days eaci: woex when he attends classes at the Florida Baptist Institute in Lekeland.
[| advisec be and his inife had beon inOrlando for several da:’s
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ROG: diiS lus bdo 2Q7C
oriov ¢O and immediatly after Christmas and 1% tas not until tney roturncd bo ifais on Saturday, Deconber 29, 1951. tnat he tmov of the explosion otaer than cuwecuga reading about it in the Orlando newspaocr.
[st tated that to his lnovwlecse a vor; good relationship cx isos bevveen unite ana colored people of itims; stated he has never seen or ‘heard of an friction or disturoances pcticen iwite end .colorcd people HOLE and concluded that he nas neard covhing since rcturning to ihris tnat maim ve of value to instant -investifacion.
_ CI advised thet due to tno Limited arount of tinc he has
spciie in itims he did not know TARRY and HARRIETT MOORE or amy of their re-
“oiveCS Or in-lais. He advised that in visitias mei bers or Nis consresavion ro kas beon unable "to develop inforiation as to who iigrt have cormicbea
25 aco, Stating thet local, residents aproarcd to D0 erplexed and dunb= Clue, ven such a thing would henpen in sims. —_— expressed lis rc- weous oor the incident and voluntecs oe to furnish am: invoruabtion or ve of ar: other possible assistance to Burcan Arsonts during tae investigation
in an effort to Locate ee | mentioned above, nis brother, who operases a snall seneral store enc garage on the norbuside
OL 2f'S, Was Lmvorviewed,. Ifis store is located just west of the nesro cuseters o2 U. S. Sichvay ofl in itis. [LC Jadvised he has operated a business ab this location for the past 23 years; that ne knew HAY CORY wire LOOUE taught school in Mins and vieinit, - anc that he knew Por “ears, orior to his death, GSONGu SHES, the febner of HAW? uC. o stated HARRIET?’s father cnjoyed a Pine reputation amon- botn iirite and colove people in Mins prior to his death and thah ke nad visited suore alriost Gails during ais later life
a advised thet since RY MOORS has spent vory livtle tine in mili aemloe the past cishi SOAL'S g ne kaew nothing of HOORE's acbiviis curin: that poxtod. [Jroiste: that an oncollent rcletionship emists petucca the .naite people and colored pconle of Mins stabing that the colored ocovlc arc vscaoad woll, stejy mostly in thoir resiuensial areas uxcept for business tracing: at local stores and that he nas never kaoim of any trouble betweon tne races herc.e
-
stated ne know of no one 1 iO VLE be mad ab or havins a LUC. L
sainst HARy HOORE 5 taet he knew or no one locally who might be £ cormivtine tae act and hed hoard no runors uhicn mignt shed a>
f° ae a,” i he Cu; canabile o
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idt Ady 2796
Ligive vofecding the identity of the persons involved in she explosion.
(2. co wt
AsL___leppeared t0 be vory feniliar with all local anc count;- wide activities and appeared to be a reliable individual and very cooper-
a oe
ative, he was questioned discrectly regarding political activities Witinin rocety .cars in this erea, stated conat here has been en inecreasines nuze~
DG> OF Negro voters during the past several yeazs, a foodly nuwer voting in tic .4.s5 area during the 1950 clections. le adviscd that DAVE TISSET vas eloecsat. County Cormissioner by a Vueite-ini? vote in the elections in Noverber 5
L950, Gelcatiag ANDY FORTENB&PRY who had been a Count: Cormissioner for 2h Yours anu Oneirnan of the Board of Court; Commissioners for many year's.
L |stated he had heard varough varlous out unrceecalled sources bes ese negro vole within the County, including the iiims area, had veportedly pla,ccé an important part in the defeat of FORTEAERRY. Ho stated thet he had heard since MOOR’s death that NOORE hed been cuite active in the (Propressive) Voters League and particularly in i: flucncin; the colored voters dub that he Kne.. noting of any political activity on hOORE’s vart with respect’ to tac cOlorc voters in iiims. Hie stated ne hac hoard tiat an ousside nesro, Cre who dia not reside in iis or Vicinity, had been broucit’ into Mins to Rsirine tho hesso vooc here®, [7 |vas unable to furnish tho identity of the individual brougué in to swing the nesro vote but voluntcercd thet WO Operaces a garase just south of [| svore and who is consiuered reliabic . worle possioly be able to furnish the iden Lt of the individval brouht into VELDIS ¢
[ agreed to nalxe soc discreet in: vi anions colored residents mere whom he considers reliable and well inforicd to ascertain the identity os tre andividual brought into ilins just prior to the clection and in the evens ais incuirios are neretive » ancuiry for tis purpose wi11 be rade Later
av Duify's Standard
service SUaUiON and & resident of iams Lor 30 years, cOrting orisinall, foi:
3oston, advised he hed vorked at tavern norsk of Hics all day Curist-
228 da and until after widnisht Christmas night. He advised that dug to the continuous agise in the tavern he did not hear or #ceol the vesults of the
.cplosi.on and knew nothing of it until the follo: ang deze de advised thet : since tae explosion he has heard nothing to indZcwte the identity of the
PCPSONS 10 coszitted this act and has card little or no ompression Lror
local. vesidents as to the reason or esuse 02 tis explosion.
ile stated sto his knowvlecze a (00% relationship oxists betiwoon vwiibs
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i and colored resicents here as he know of no aistrrbances or 7riction poe~
Sucena the udite and coloree people in iins or vieinit:. [-_] advised - Cc ao knew iARY HOORT only; o: sight and soe notiing of HOORD's activitics for | the nast several years. He dcemicd havins heard ony svuacencits made against
WOORS or Alvroated asainst HOOZE%'s activities. fie too voluntoored his coop-
OVYatiLon my fernisnin:s infornetion which ee De Of veluc to tais INVeStice- OLOANe
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The following investiration was conducted by Special Agents[__] | [and don deimany: 5, 1952: :
JASIS; Reve JILLIAN BUTLER KYZER was interviewed ‘inasmuch as he ~S whe Justice of the Peace covering: the Lins area of Florida.
neve SILLTAI BUTLGR KYZER of liims, Florida, who has decn the Justice - or tne Peace for the 16th District covering the area north of Titusville, [ Florida to the Brevard County line, including Lins, Florida, for the past ih. years and who has been a Baptiss Preacner for the past 40 years, furnished the following information: 2
lic had known HARRY T,. MOORS for man: fears, orisinelly by reason of tne fact that he vas a Trustce in the school system and GARRY CORE was & toacner and later Principal of the iis negro school.
% the time of instant explosion he was awake in bed at his hone ] near whe business section of Mims, Florida » Whale: ls approximately one file noveh of HOORE*’s home. Ue had retired at anprorimately 10 P.li, that |
everny and was still awake fifteen or twent: minutes laser tien his house Was sneicn oy a terrific explosion. He called to[_] who happened to be aslecn at tne tine and remarked 30 her he thoughs the vackine house had . . OLOIM WY.
.y a , Ging out to the porch the was unable to.sec angthiag which world aie Wit ln determinine the cause of this ‘explosion. ile then vent out in the back yard to look around tho arca of ins to sec if he could sce any fire or smoxe fvom the explosion. Jt vasn?> until the next morning that he Learned WARY MOORE had been killed by an explosion sc’ under his hone.
fhe following mornin; he went to the scene and exarzincd Lt,at woich panic ne told that ib certainiz tiasn’t dsmanrite because the ole left by the explosion was much too snail. for amy dynauive charse suf -iclent to cause such damage.
D ce
ey
Reve KYZit, who nas usec considesadle amounts of aynanite throughout his Life in grove and road work, velievos it would havo taken a case of dynamite to do the instant damage but does not >elicve Ojnamite was used bve- cause tnere was absolutol: no trace of arnaixite odor or fumes witich would have remained.
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‘IPS; JMS WM d~270
eve KYZa was not even avare of tuc Tact HARI MOORE resided at ingsaie couse ws Lhoueht that ne resided soncimiere olse in the nero cuastte2s. Ib had been nis belier thet instant house vas still ommed br the | vomily. te further stated that he considercd HARRY HOR? to have been an intelligent, cood teacher, sino eesicned fron his vosition as Prsncipel Ye vue necro olenentar Sscnool in itims in order to take up ‘us 3 ot Vth the WAACP, and the Progressive Voters League. It vas NLS Opinion HAR IS CORE had considerable influence on the nesvocs in the Brevard County area, ani could definitely control tre necro vote,
Reve KY¥Znh heartily pelieves that instant omplosion vas not a , ‘ovaccer joo because a cracker would have sone to HOOME’s home, callea hin ous and shot lim without any subterfuge. He pelioves that it vas an om
pert inside job of the NAACP. ile states thes if he wore in the sare posi-~- 6100 as of the NAACP he doesn’t know shat would sive ia a
VOCLON opportu ne t5" to advance the cause of the WAACP then vO arranze Lor one avath of HAR?Y MOORE through a spectacular erplosion.
OVe KYZER states he recalls reading in a Daytona Beach paper at ,
the tite of the recent NAACP convention that WOOur owed UNG YALty- over
egWOO, O00 tas given a part tine joo as a result of the convention vote. Inasmuch as HAIRY HOO: is not doing a good job tox vc MAACP and his usec~ fulness vo the NAACP was lone past 9 Lt would _be lozieal for thet ormaniza-
bLon Go vc wid of MOOR and at the sanet-ine neice & nartyr of Adin to the
veneli’s ors tno WAACP. Rev. KYZER insists that nO person or persons in the vnetan County areca, cither white or negro, could have been ‘avol. ved in this
Reve KYZER explained he has ABVeL “not any: cuerrcis or anvaronisn of unusval nature to exist vebrvicen ties wil. ve anc nerro peonle Or whe Brevard Gount. avcas ie polieves instant case was a case of out and out nuraer ana taat all cCecorrs scople in the community are interested in orincins the CUI Dr g4, OF culprits to justice.
Concermin:: the cleetion activities of MARCY (0025, Reve KUZER voluntec:: od the follo: wing infornation:
tt was the oractice of the nerro pcosie in‘ bhe Brevard Count,” areca
to invite ARTHUR DUN, the County Cormmissioner, and nénself, to informal meetin s ay various uesero churches in order So ovbein their advice concerning
tne VaeLOus candidates. ‘The negroes void then have their om nrivate neevuinss
tO Zurcher discuss clection ciicstions end decide who to vote for, In these “4 WS ay _ TT yt oe 1 1 ate ¥ various meotings HARIY IT. HOCRE held the top vositcon of in“luonce.
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in tne recent clection in 1950 ‘ADR H.: FORYSNBERRY, isho Hea beor tre Chairman of the County Comission for TEM, (CALS and r ropre esented the ucreive Island arca won the prima vi clecvion in nay, 19 ov : rou rewcloction as Count, Commissioner, llowever, through the efforts of mamy white poople in the Gocoa jorea weo wore antagonistic to ty. FORTMAIIRNY?s activities atv the rort of Authority at Cape Canaveral, and the negro vote 2n Brevari Counc: ws itt’ e TOR ONG y vias devoatced in tno final election in voverber,
L950 tnpoush a “ineite-ini? vote for DAVID NISBET, Rev. KEZER sbetes ne
las @licays pecn a very good fricnd of AMDREW TFORTSMBURRY’s and still con- idovws inn one of luis best friends bub believes thet the welfare or . rovard Couni ty in goneral was advanced by the clection of DAVE UISBR? vo ces eougny aarnony to the County Comission.
‘7"
Gwen
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The following investigation was conducted by Speci2l «agents and on January 5, 19524
BaSIS: To determine frm[ i his position concerning ~~ the Novemer, 1950, elections and the defeat of AND.SW FOUTUINBERRY, with particular reference to any anamosity FOtTHNBuRtY held toward HidkhY T. MOOW,
RIE
By way of beckgr ound LCs a graduate of a Florida Law School and a member of the Florida Bar although lm has nover practiced law. He is the owner of a substantial citrus grove eno[ —_ the Carlton Fruit Stand. He appears to be a substantial citizen and a man of approximately 42 years of age.
He related the following info>mmtion concerning the 1950 election:
- father hed purchased a piece of land on Merritt Island from the City of Cocoa several years ago. FORTENS2%rY had expressed a desire to buy a portion of this land for a county road, To this end FOQt TuN3 tekY had a survey made showing the proposed rightefway through the citrus, groves which[___—sdWfatinr bad subsequently planted.
father later found out that the State did actually own a righterway through the grove, at tmt time father went to sce FORTaNSsdcY to ask him to sve the State right-away changed offering to decd to the State a corner of the gneve for the purpose of putting the rond through. FO TINS wtkhY refused, Thereafter the approached soveral State officials with his proposal. ali of these officinis agreed to change the routing of the road, however, they did not desire to gower FOUTENB. Y's head inasmuch es he was the chairman of the County Commission and if FORTENBURRY approved the State would take the necessrry steps to change the rond, The [| again avoroached FO: TENBSAuY and again FOOTENBSRKY refused to make the change. Shortly thoreafter FORTENBSRAY asked sd support in tho coming 1950 cleuction, Shortly after tho may, 1950, primary election[___C—C*d@SOfatterr pressed away, [L__]statod that le belivcved his father's death was hastened by the difficulty with FO‘TONBGRaY,
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ee
eo 6 s ~ DIC
MM A270 [ pointed out this eocegrome sothat the ..gents
might lave a clearer understanding as to previous back- ground with relation to FORTENBERRY.
Shortly after father's death,[~ enerally known as of Indianova, Merritt Island, aporoached
and asked him if he would be in favor of getting another man to beat FORTENBSRRY in the general elections to be held in November of 1950. it that time solicited $100 fromL___las a’ portion of the campaign fund, pointed out that the general consensus in the county was to the effect that FORTHENBuURRY was so strong politically that it was not possible to arrive at an opponent who could defeat him in an election for county commissioner. [.______—idJ inquired whether would appropriate $100 if a sufficient number of other business men in the Cocoa area could be solicited to fight FORTENBERTY,
Shartly after this original contact, a meeting was held of
the small group of leading men in the Cocoa ~ Merritt Island area at the home of brother of It should be explained was an adopted child and his surname was officially ©
rafter his adoption. His brother ]had never been adopted and his had never been changed. Present at this meeting was an Attorney, of Cocoa who acted as throughout the ontire campaign. It was decided at the meeting to circulate petitions throughout the county asking the residents of Brevard County to help eliminate FORTENBURRY and to support DAVE NISBET. The county was divided into distribution areas, a volunteered to distribute the petibions in the colored area of Merritt Island. The gathering agreed that the only way to defeat FOATENBSRRY was to come out in onen opposition to him,
“es
[__|statea that he took the petitions and presented them to a meeting in one of the colored churches on Merritt Island. In order to get the colored people to agree it had been necessary for him to convince the two colored leaders of Merritt Island, DEWNIS SAWYER and that their cause was the correct one. In order to do that he reminded
the HRRY's broken promises, With him at this meting was a real estate broker at Merritt Island, [ stated that after all of the petitions md been
obta ined the names of the signers were published in the Cocoa newspaper,
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Thereafter FORTENBERRY called a meeting of the county Democratic Executive Committee at which meeting he introduced a proposal to oust from the Democratic Party all of those persons who had sigred the petition, In this connection pointed out tht an Attorney by the name of wes present at the meeting and could furnish ‘ detailed information as to what went on at the moeting, [[__|said as nearly as he could tell FORTENBERRY proposed to oust these mombers because they were not ‘good Democrats, .
By way of explaining FORTENBIRRY's power over the Executive Committe —aI releted an incident which occurred approximetely. ldyears ago. He stated the Executive Committee is normally made up of some 40 members but that interest had lagged and the Committee hed dropped to a monbership of approxim.tely 12 persons. FORTENBERRY called a special mecting for the purpose of electing new members to the Committee. Only 6 members showed up for this meeting, At that time they elected 6 now members to the Committee, [__|stated thet FORTENBErRY soon learnod he was unable to control-these 6 new manbers and thereupon called another meeting of the Committec for the purpose of eliminating them. at this second meocting the original 6 members were present but only 5 of the new members were able to attend, FORTENBERRY introduced a motion to the effect that any new members to the Executive Committce hid to be presented to the Committee in writing at that mrticular m-cting. FORTENBERRY's motion wis seconded and carried over the protest of the 5 new mombers present and the resolution passed by a vote of 6 to 5, The 5 now mombors protested that it was strictly-a. "fast one" pulled on them ind that it would be impossible for them to go out and obtain the names of persons who would. serve on the Executive Committee and submit their nemes in writing at that particular meeting. Wheroupon the old manbers including FR TENBERRY drew from thir pockets the names of many persons and prssented them to the mecting in nomination, #11 of the names presented were voted upon end all of them were elected to the Committee with the old 6 aaa voting in favor and the 5 now mambers being opposed,
[_|statea that after this announcement had been made that all of the petition signers had been ousted from the Democratic Party the colored people on Merritt Island became worried as to whethsr or not they would beallowed to vote and if so how they should go ebout writin in DAVE NLSBET's name on the ballot. Several of them apprcased with these questions, He said he then decided to hold a meeting at tho colored Baptist Church on Merritt Island for the purpose of answering these questions, DAVE NISBET,[ and himself were to be the
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only white men present at the meeting. [____] said he anticipated trouble from FORTENBERRY and thought possibly FORTENBERRY might have photographers at the meeting or that
might be present to cause trouble, Based on this he discouraged NISBET from appearing at the meeting. [____] said the meeting started without incident and that it had been in progress some 30 to 35 minutes when he heard some loud talking outside which was distunbding all of the people at the mecting. He sa:.d the talking became louder and he began to hear wispering around the assembly "that's[———s—=sdSd He then went outside and found talking to 3 colored men who he, ad posted outside as lookouts for any trouble that isight come up said that was telling these 3 colored men that FORTENBERRY was the man they should vote for. He noted that one of the
colored men was a party by the name of also known as [4 a resident of Merritt Island,
Ld stated he walked up to[—_] and put his hand on his shoulder telling him not to come out to the meeting and start trouble, said [asked him "what do you mean", [replica that he, was starting a disturbance whereas hs was really supposed to put down any disturbances. Thereafter [ Jinvited [[__]to come insido. and attend the meeting in a peaceful manner if he so desired. excused himself by seying that he had heard that a new bar nd been nut in on Merritt Island and he was coming over to see if anything was going on there. [ declined to come into the moeting and said he was going home and thereafter_le left. In this connection r—]nobed that after the election came to him and apologized for raising the disturbance at the meeting, He said he had been ordered by FORTENBE RY to go to the mecting, od did not explain to him his purpose or objective, L____]told_him that he had figured FORTENBeRuY would win the election and that he, would continue working for FORTENBERRY, but now that .FORTENBERRY had been defeated he wanted to continue working for the county.
Concerning the election[L__|stated hs hed gone to hims to electioneer for NISBET. He recalls seeing ARTHUR DUNN, present county commissioner from the Mims district, inside the legal limit from the polis talking with each colored person as he came in to vote, said he himself kept his distance ind was unable to hear what DUNN was telling them, [Taiso said that there was a colored woman who was driving
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colored voters to the polls in an autérobile furnished by FORTENSERRY, He said he was worried about the way the vote was going and finally approached this woman asking her just what sh: was doting. Whereupon the woman replied, "don't you worry about us colored folks, we'll vote the right way",
[ stated is a FOR TENBERRY man and was in all possibility electioncering for FORTENBERRY at the polls, however, he believes since FORTENB RRY's defeat that has made an about f-ce and is no Longer in sympzthy with FORTSNSERRY.
se withL «dt should be nobed-that
Shortly after the election [L___] learned from Du VE NISBET
that one who opsrates a juice stand north of Mims
had f Signed affidavits from Negroes in the Mims arsa to the effect that . had_either paid money or given liquor to Negroes to vote for
NISBST. explained that[— rae a former runner for JOHN WEATHERS who prior to his death owned a bar in Cocoa and was Sidered king of the rackets in Brevard County. In explanation r Isai that WEATHERS operated a numbers bolita and slot machines in Brevard County. also pointed out that [L___]has been accused of killing a white women scyorel years ago but that this accusation had never been proven. This white woman -es8tensibly md become involved with JOHN WEATHERS in Cocoa and it wus believed that ws the finger man.
. LO ) stated he had never given any money or liquor to anyone to vote for NISBET but to the contrary he nd heard that FORTSNB.RRY's forces had given money and liquor for votes, but this was extremely hearsay and he could not substantiate it in my way.
After hoaring this[____] by himself, went to sd | at his juice stand and told him what he md heard from NISBET, , denied making such a statement to NISBET and said "that is how lies got started", [_|did say though that he did have affidavits end that bs ~ was going to use them if ne cessary. L dordered [| off his property, Instead fo Tet out of his car and went into the fruit stand where
had a gun behind the counter. At this point [| stated "alright you fellows keep this up and somebody's going to get killed." To which ( ——Jreplicd that he,[L___] could probably take e gun and kill him but that would be to no avail as there were many other men in the county behind DaVii NISBET and his sole purpose in visiting was to
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straighten out the statement mde py|_]conceming the affidavits. toldL____] emphatically that in any statements he,[__ |) mde
he should avoid using the name of L____]wnless ho was certain he could
prove his statement because he[_____—sJ would see to it that th was thrashed
cut in Court whereupon his moeting with[__Jended and they ostensibly
departed as fricnds.
To further enlighten the Agents on the political picture in Brevard County, [_____] said that he and several other business men had formed the Brevard County Good Citizens League. The objective of the league was merely to have the existing laws of the state statutes enforced and not as a reformation group, The county had slot machines in operation from one end of the county to the other and it was general knowledge in the county that the numbers and bolita rackets were wide open. He sgid at this time ths group could obtain very little support from their ow friends end literally no support from State and county officials. The group took in several members of the clergy and it became more of a religious social group than a group trying to have the laws enforced,
During the time the lvague was active he,[ |, owmd a dry cleaning eatablishment in Cocoa and word hed come to him from one of his employecs that he, L___] had "better lay off" or it would be ‘his life, He said he tried his best to obtain the source of the throat from his employee who was colored but he .déclined to tell where he obtained the information.
Subsequent thereto one of his best colored employees namcd
[Ld sCbetter known as C_—— received a thre:t to got out of the county within 24 hours, could not talk ut
of leaving and he believed that this was just one means of the "syndicate! of getting at him for a crusade against violations of the gambling Jaws.
LT enumsrated many instances of trying to enlist tho aid of Assistant States Attorney, States Attorney, the Governor and County Officials, but received no encouragement nor resitive action on the part of any of them.
Concerning the threats to himself and his employee[_ stated there was no way to prove it but_he belicsved that came
from JOHN WEATHERS. He noted that within two..days after WEATHERS' death von a heart attac Ic, | returned to his employ ana has been the re
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[ furnished the following names and information concerning 3 associaties of ANDREW FORTENBE:iRY,
ARTHUR DUNN -—- DUNN has been a long time County Commissioner from the Mims District and has been close to FORTENBSRRY during his verious terms, de is at the present time the County Commissioner from the iiims area,
COLONEL BUTT ~ COLONEL BUTT 3 wayor of Cocoa and a Long _ time working associnte of FORTENBEGRRY. pointed out that FR TENBERRY
hes been interested in a project known as the Canaveral Port Project for many years, e recalled an instance where GORDON FORTENBIRRY, deceased son of ANDREW FORTENBERRY, was talking about a request made by his father of COLONEL BUITS to assist him in this project. According to
GORDON reportedly stated that there had been some stories to the effect that COLONEL BUTT would not go to bat for FORTENBEREY in tho Canavergl
Port Project. GORDON reportedly said "if he doesn't my daddy will sure
kill nim! orwords to that effect. Pets ‘ted he belivves COLONaL
BUTT has since turned against FOR TENBERRY.
wes an Attorney in Cocoa, According to
County Democratic #xecutive Committee and
ny y a PORTENBERRY man. [__|stated he believes[——_] has since re-entered the armed forces of the United States,
Concernin Brevard County, he was contacted by Orlando Post Newspa
FOR TENBE 2RY and the general political scene in
sction was an unsuccessful He hss known for many years and aS coOntacue regard to a newspaper FORTENBERRY contemplated publishing. ORTENES SRRY told[___ | that he would like for the Orlando Post to furnish him an oditor and also print a weekly publication which’ he FORTENBERRY desired to publish and what was later to become. the "dast Coast Trade Winds" weekly newspaper. [___|said he + told] thet such a newspaper would be used for FORTENBUuRRY's personel political benefit end he did not believe it would be a newspapor ben o all the citizens of the county. does not ‘mow vPrethar Pee] entered into any contraet to print the Trade Winds paper but he did advise that he would agree to print the paper but not to furnish an editor.
| | ~ 136 -
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During the political campaign[_] said he learned that FORTENBSRRY owned one parcel of property fronting his approximately one mile on Merritt Island road, A sawmill owned by FORTENBERRY is on part of this property. FORTENBERRY pays Jess tax on this entire piece of property than does ono [__—] aso of Merritt Island who owns on the same road 100 feet in a less desirable section, a said that this information was definitely substantiatéd by him in reviewing the county tax records and could further be substantiated byl
In this connection,L _] said that FORTENSSRRY was on the Brevard County Tax and Assessment Equalization Board and it is the responsibility of that Board that all assessments and taxes are all equalized for all property owners,
[went on to relate thet he had heard that some unknown lumber company outside of Brevard County made it a practice tO buy lumber from the lumber company owned by FORTENBRRY and in turn sell that lumber back to Brevard County for construction work, Hé stated that the above mentioned Cc of Indian River Drive, onc mile south of Cocoa would be able to furnish more details concerning these transactions...
[said that FORTENB:ARY has never gotten over his defeat and he does not believe that he will take it laying down, He believes that he is rallying his forces and getting lined up for the coming county election to be held in May of 1952, To add insult to injury as far 4 FORTENBARRY's defeat was concerned, along with the position of Chairman of the County Commission goes the position pf the Canaveral Port Authority and when FORTENBERNY was defeated_he was also dropped from the chairmanship of the Port juthority, To this LL Irelated that the Port was a pet project of FORTENBERRY for many years inssmuch as the port was on Nisbet Island and FORTENBERRY hes vast holdings on the Island. Since his defeat FORTENBARIY has been a constant thorn in the Authority trying to get then to take more positive and definite action with regard t> the development. of the port, ‘
\
Ld related that FORTENBIRRY has a home approxiim tely
5s miles north of Merritt Island Road and that a hard surfaced road wes ‘ constructed all the way to his residence. [[__]said he had no way to prove it but it was the consensus among the county leaders tht the road was constructed purely for the personal benefit of FOUTENBERRY out of county tax funds, No other residences are located on this road and to
knowledge all the property along the right of way is owned by FORTENBERRY«
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Concerning the political situation in the northern part of .
Brevard Gounty where Mims is located, L___] advised that (7 who is CSE the Ford Tractor Company could and
probably would furnish Bureau Agents with additional information concerning Commissioners FORTANBERRY and DUNN,
Concerning HARRY T. MOORE, victim in instant case, L__] [sd said thet he did not know the man and did not recall ever having met him, When questioned_2s to whether HARRY T. MOORS was at the meeting cn Merritt Island[|_] related that if be were there he did not recall it-and that possibly MOORE hed spoke to ‘the group before he and
arrived or after they left. fe said it was possible that MOORE was at the meeting and he did not attach any particular significanes to the event.
As far as the Mins area of the County is concerned[____] said that there is no question in anybody's mind but whet the entire colored vote in the ims areca went as a solid block for DAVE NISBET, With regard to the overall picture [believed that FORTENBERRY would have been defeated even though the colored vote had gone completely for _ FORTHNBERRY, In other words he said that even though the colored vote was almost a solid block against FORTENBERRY throughout the County that sufficient force had rallied to defeat FORTENBERRY without any solicitation on the part of the colored vote,
at the conclusion of the interview [ voluntarily advised the Agents that the previous night, January 4, 1952, at approximately 6:45 he reccived a telephone call from Brevard County. [7 _Jinquired as to whether HARRY T. MOORE had been present_at the Merritt Island meeting just prior to the Novexber, 1950, election. told him that he did not recall whether MOORE was present or not as he hed previously informed the Agents and he did not attach any significance to the call until hoe was approached by Bureau Agents.
[was asked by the agents if he lmew of any activities of the Ku Klux Klan in Brevard County, He stated that about LO years ago he had been approached by thenL__ to either join the Ku Klux Klan or to agsist him in organizing a unit of the Ku Klux slen in Brevard County. L__J]stated he refused [| offer. LL] left Cocoa a short time thereafter and has not returned until approximtely ‘8 weeks ago.
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bIC
ED: diiS Mi Lh-2°70
auc on dexuery 5, 1952:
ee follo a ST 1001 Was cormductea p.- Soccial 1 Aventsl |
SEOLS 3 LF Cocos, Tioorvievon for ine LOorTngzoion conceriing wOORS*s prosence at & ncoting among one ~. colovea cltigons on Merritt Island prior to the Uoveber,
1350 clection.
Cocoa, Florice, advised uc nad talked
MMO Wes present ¢ Gt the mocks; on liorerite Island during
ane Movenber, 1950 clection and that Nad for mcd hin cnet 1002, tHe Vactin, definitely cid not attend tne mecving On wcuriot Islend wher GHC TOW 208 in ove: sWCL y 1950 to discuss vac political battle betiucen
eat PO, 4 re
oe EGE at ene, DAVE ? “1D8 siOT .
[_|s eid thet it was his recollection viet HOOMS cid attend the
mecuing OF the Cocoa colored people at or ubout the same time and that it was coxno:m knowledge in Cocoa that WOOL ves vorlting for DAVE NISBET. Dini said what, as ne recalled, MTS3ET ves presente “Zo Bc necting S im Cocoa avoormec bp; HOOha end possibly could furnish: additional infomzetion concern- liz; 20Qk%s activities at that tinc.
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JA? . Joao nO ih. be spores f 70
the following investigation was conducted b, Special Agcnts[ | Co Jan don Sermery 5, 1952 DASIS: Followine individuals wore intcrvicved since thes are ee ya
roesi.denss in tae earee of the hone of tnc letbe Harvey &. CORE end his wife, | HAR LETT,
who is enploged as & serviconan by tac Florida Pover ana Lignt Compas, said he has been in the victniby of ifs for a period of approraatel, four vearse [___] ind? cated tnay he was at nis home curing: tne evening oc Decomder 25, 1951, and recalls taat ob aporosinescly 10:50 P.l. he heard a vor intense explosion which ine tnounrs vias located in the orance gvove imncdiatcly to the rear of his hore
[| advised he had served in the U. 5. Uarine Corns for a ner~ Lo. Of axovoxinately five and a half rears anc hac hed considerable exper~ Sonee inith explosives and indicated that the sound of the eLosior eosormbled that on a ish velocity o: oxplosive and Gia not pcsemble dynamite which ne Naa useg Levcerri stontly curing nis preset crplosment.
4
Ld added thet shortly after the sound of the exol osion he got ous OL bed and proceeded to the rear of his hose and shortly aftor arriving ao oo bee door, heard @ women serearting. At vis tine he wes. of Shc inte
7
OVCSSLO the explos ion was tic result of some trick which had been played upon sone of the local residents durin: the Christmes nolidas’s «
[| also stated on the follo WARS ior ANS Dees omber 26 » 1951, he proceeued to the scene of the exp) osion ang mingled with the crowd whi GEbAL NCS tacre. He stated thet he had en opportunity “OQ ve close to the
7
scons o” tho explosion and added that 10 nad lifted vo a handful of. sand anc aid not smell the odor of dynemite tek would have bcon present if that
Substance aad been used.
Ssuaced Ac has an opnortualty to circulate about thie arca supeounding Liims daring wis onplownont and at no tine hed he heard any Suatoeits which would iadicate or tom to identif, tne persons responsible for unc boubinge He sbeted there had been n0 cil ouluy with the NCELO race in ig:.s, Florida and that he pers onally was not aceueintcd with ethos of GHC Victins. °
Was Very coonerative dusing the entire period of the inter~ Vag and indicated a willinesness to be of assistance if ANLOTUAGLON cane LytO ALs- possessi.
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on is bic, 3
# Jase
yr thes é him? 7G
were reintervicved con cornins am: additional information Which wney mney heve pickea up rclavive to the vomoius but they were unaole to Lfurnisn any adds bioncl informations hovever, eccalled thet he wd deen accuainted with Victz:, HARIY.T. HCORD, but was uneware of arr of his activitics an& last Sav yr. approximately 2a ronth ago at tne Mims Post Office.
- Je BAILEY, Box 98, llins, eng ot tc
sare nddrocs 9 Vere a eratcry interviewed velavive to the cause or tre
ozcpd. osion In cucstLon. ire. SATLSY, who is over 75 years of age and cvite dea’, adviscd he has resided in this erca for over 30 yoars, stated he hoard the omplosion but had not deen near the seence oF it. To sbated ne hed heara muicrous residents talking about the vombiag eng recelled he heard some in- gividuel stave thet the unknotm subject had cun verough the grove imaedictely in feos of the victints home to the hard too ‘uiccwer ond Cisappearcd.
He also stated that during some corver 820 oLON WLth umvoecalled indi- ViGUaALS what ne had neard someone sax Vile got whet was coming to hin. DATIZSY was unable to eocadl ne individrals w10 sIade cither of these state- IAGNUS «
<
BATLEY also stated thet he was pe esonelli unaccuairiteod wheh the Letcz bus that he knew him as a school teacher in 2 Local nosvo school but a5 Unleverc OF DLs activities; that he nad never heard eny sbetomonts of a goraecoery nature being made abou the victim and sas unavere of an. rcascon for itis ass assinabtion.
ai
C x
who is enproxinately LG years of arc, advised taat GC naa mo Amorriation concerning the vieti anc had heard nothi ing fron she your 77r ocople in toim rclative to the cause chercor.
10 tirite people in Mims were nob too well 40s and knew verr Little about thon,
adécad thet 4
ti accuesnted with tae victims? activit
+
VO PesicOs in a nome Located approsmavely 5 ds trom tne seenc of th yh =»
DOr. DS, stated | tney have eesidod in lims cd of appro: imately t1. FeaLSo | svaved he is omployea as a carnenter in the Titusville erca and 18 fone durins most of the vorking dav.
"oo
» bent
oo. 20 Svated on Christmas 3 1951 he vas avay from home curing most of GEG GO." enat he, his idic and daughter uac returned So. ‘heir hosic apnroxzi- maven” « O'clock and that he and his wife had retired ot approximately 9 P.it
~ 141 -
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JAH: TS il hen 270
uc indicated ne neard an emilosion iizicn occurrcd at appromimatel;
10:30 Pil. vhicn he believed had oceurrea very near to nis hore. ie sbetca ao oe bine of the cxplosion he turneca on the Light, observed the tine, Loox, around to the rear of nis home to sec if one of tae gas tanxcs located at his home or one of his acighbors'had c:mloded. He stated after making this check ne vent back to bode
[ stated ne proceca hed «tO Titusville early tne following morn- inv and during tac course_of conversation ith a Follow employee, Learned or the bombing at Mins. suated thes due to his short residence iM sfhis ne was not too voll acouebntea wien tae neishbors and did not lino: the wicvlu or his wife
continuing , staved that prior vo comins to Florida he hed pecn ciplotroc. as a coal miner in Keivouck:: and was well avere oF the erreces of dynamite ang the fact thet ay nmanite Leaves & residual odore llc “indicatec. his hone wes close enougi to she bor-biing SO Uhat ne would have sricilcc. this odor if dynanite hed been used, Ho was of the ‘uspression bnes LG vould take "a iason Load of cyneiite to cause the damasc which had deo , Cceesioned to the viebins’ home and vas of the impression this varticular
te OF cxplosive had not dcen uscd.
[| ___]s addce trac trey hac not seen am individuals 1 she viclait;y who were acting in ea suspicious manner, that tney nad never NGAG Of ax ecbivity which “vould indicate there vas trouble betiveen the racos in the Lims aree and that the: wero meccusinted with the vicbins end bAGL? TSEALLLS :
4
“cho is tac daughter or Ld} edvisec at tac time of the explosion sac was at the shor in Titus vi tlie and uas unable te furnish army information iwNich would tend to identify tne vilmMown sun jects of this casc. She »ossessed no information rclabive %o an. wieest in tke Buss arce anc duc to ner short residence in tas, Was un- accuainted with the victims and tnoir respective Zanilics.
oo Svaccu 2c was at hone in - ye. BS oe Tine of the explosion unich occurred at the vietirns? residenca,
lO svatcc tne explosion was very intense end eppenrcd to be very close to his ORC » was also of the impression that the emlosion resulted from a
Gas tar located to the reay of his howe or ab the rear of one of his nolsn= pors nin upon ascertaining such was not true, rcturned to bed.
? = 1’ Mel . TL me . , an L| edvised he is cnployed as a grove worker in the ifins aroa
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- bIC
JAES Jd Label bbimey U
« 1 = “4 Pad ange yay tele Stee ee we ey rep 7 nevi: been in this localit;: sinee April, 1951, comings to Eins from fitus- villic, flortaqa. Le stated ho hed lived in Mitusville for SOPONTIAGOLS &
Soot and thet his permanent residence was Irons, Coorcia.
[advised he was not v0? accuaiitied wish nds neisibors tn “is ana Cid not know the victim Se de invicased that during the course of N28 £70002 Ge mecss a treat mane negroes bus nouc of these in netvidrals avo onfewed ary dnrorns colon concerilins tie cause of the oecplosion end he was
unerloe to Lerntsna aay int oration Wh 2SCle.
5
* =
*
¢ G20 Vietin and is wt
| [fae Cvised thas tue relation botveen the nesroos and the unites LM Une iSeS arca ves Good ove Was noo fonitiay wihta an; oF the 90lities! or ‘ ” cs of
Ce
je
ae 4, wore seporavcly in-
imervic.cd concoming thelr knovlodge of tho bomoline ubich occurred ab the residences of AARIY T. MOORS on Decu ber 25, 1952. Ce advised
1 7 yo 7 ¥ wes ? J: % i f i. 7. “ ae myn KS - = sho anc lor musband nave lived in fils s:ince ASLO, that tie; are vory well ay -_ * MJ wale + we rh J. * * 4 ‘ et ” wen * wt 14 ve . aocuaood with all of the old reside oi oF tris Localitvr end thet sho uas
“oO we > “ “ . ? - - ¥ Lead arfe wat 212 GUC shies arcoae
ven active an social anc volit:
staccd she nas vtcn navticulerl: active as a tac Hlections Boord in the uoner seebion of Brevard Count,- and Ques the AV50 clections was in charnze of the polls in lis. She sé { ‘bacre U8S & vast inerease in she ausber af sosro yoters and particulariz: on
B1ePease in the number of Nssroes VUKO reristered or cual
a ot
. - ne a = mug: Ba Giadso Chik
~
* 4 4 * .
fied to vote in
3 Q
2.7 fy - ee *~ * z 4 7 “+ 7 —~ * . me . ye £ 5 Wy ALC. She cstincted there were approrinatel 2% 6 nosvoes rosigocored, in ote ah - “ 7 Fa ~, an a ” ee oy , r . ate 7. ott a . *
ho .lms area which numer apnromimated tke uu Dor of wh 2bOS who Were LOCA SCLC
18 VEL St thc negroes to the vollis for the nNuULVOSS Of vorisveri: Guping the [ovember clections to be strc that they vere obing. 5
G Ms TTA wastes Yom tad . ‘ “= ob5 wien feta en pet * oo” Haw sOCE aad been particularly active in sic r cinlty of ISizs since she ?
{374 6, sobed Pete me rt we bic stated TARY TT. TOC) and other cchoested NOsvoos Ere vor actave 3
pa ee 5 ty an Te ™ . =F, 2 Jeu af 7 . * 7 * G2V0 ne comdnatec. his services as PeEbncwaal of tle RESLO senocl in Mins, Ts s * - “—s4 K ae ~ ™, os ~ a7 = . ; in this, conne sioaL___ stabec treat LOOKED ked mede a auwisence * 7 ,; S ae ay > ¢ + * 4
" tyite enpoine 4 bo better the conudivioss of the colovod vace and Bb 620 siicntosh. provocsat ule umite Lettors of crtticisr: to Cd
5 in 622
ve UNO Vas S olccunon. She stated thes ILUeT HOO] soto Lott % upOM Gc SvSvzonerm: oF one ee ana in this enc? abvenpted ta influence the actions of bie Bloes soard officials.
a ma or
Tat, ca Pape
Sy ae
bIC
JAIL JES in! Ade 270
Ab tic tine of tne November, 1750 clections Mink OORT, one of be and sone of the ovher cducated HSS roCcs In this arce ivove BaCCLVO An ° transporting nesro voters to vac volis. She stated at the bane the votes verso boing courtec it ias alveys possiolo to eee ene. LUCE tit: of the norro vores eee ther : nod VeLtcen in tne names 2 MST, who was at thet tinc a candidate for the Board of Count: Cow eee anid tic name of ee fon who was rurilings Yor vac orfice of U. 5. Sonato: in this State, [| wes unable to furnish the naene of the OSNCF Lacividue -L but 1% is pboliceveda that tis porson was one STETSOL! KEYED. She indicated at the tine these votes were counted the acrro NAV LOLNS Uas easily Giscormible and « vreat Pea of those nocsro voters Wore unawle to remember the place on the ballot where they were supposed % ved ee b1L “UziC nae es NISBET and keeuDY. She inciies ocd chest naturally, bac neues, 2f they were not placed in the covrces position, vere not COUGH Ove i aa 20 this ous as &@ moons of snowin thet HOORE and the other NEL LO leaders in this avea were very active in instructine the colored yotors in how to volte. She stated she wos not in favor of? tris UT po Os Bculvio, since sne thought that it was soncbod,; clse voting instead of the nmevvo ixuasol lf.
In tais connection[__deddec that the aecbivities of MOORS were vor, noticcable to pexsons in oe clal canacitics since he was a . chronic Letter - LUCE» rectived a great ceal of correspondcaece niaself¢ and aS prosably nial cing | himsels obno:cious LO Duvtic. orticials cue to tats acti- Vity~ Jovever, she stated she did aot feel thet bis activity wes such thet iu vould cause any individual to fo to the er es which hed been used
She stated she felt thet ILAIRY HOO was the leader of the NGZLO votors aud os such wielded a wrcat deal of influence. She was wunaoic to State whether this influence Was On @ cowmrty or enews DAGLS but Was Corban thet | vis loval, influence tas exttensi
tle vie Se JOUES advised that he has: been accuainted with NOOR and WLth tac er family for a great many 7earse uc indicated that he had omployed iO0RE: as a fruit picker when HOORE wes SOung ous thet duc to HOORL?s physical. ines Loy for suca work, he did mot crp‘Lo: min very Longe He stated MOORE
Laver oducaiod hinself and returned to IBns as 3 pehool. c~egckhor ang Decanc
‘Princioeal of the oe negro scnool, ic indicated that the victins were both
osnplovec at the sere school for 2 Zood Mar years buy chat MOORE was removed as Principal and his wife continued to tee ch. in chat school for sonctiric QC rt "GS «
Leas not too faniliar with Shc sociel and political activities
UN es
b7C
of the victins but stated he hed learned through nis wite the LKOOKIS wer active in the nesro organization which was atvempting oo potter the con- disionus of the negro race ana that iARay Te 1033 was particularly active in oovelining voting PAGS Tor the nesrocs in tris areca. se stated nc me very Little cbhous this activity sirsely ana tes nob avare of any
ecnorties LOORE hed made other then thr inrorneticon Furnisned br Ais rire to te effect that HOCE%s political activiti tas becorins overocaring.
L___Jeontinuing stated that ab tne tine or the bombing he vas esleop and Gid not hear the explosion, re stated, however, that he pro- ceeded to the U00RE home on the followdns day and inspectccd. the extent of Wn Cantasc.e. He stetced at that time he coserved a great many of his oun ncero crplorces inspecting the scone or the bonblasy en folt bhe w% nore OL uUnes yOF SONS could apocar for worl ab the tise of wuc Puncral for HAWIY T. “0022 [—] said he was greatly surprised on that cate pece suse none of his on- ploveses missed any NOW and none of then eve nentioned om of tic ceteils of Ge JOLDING and , oS a matter of fact, nouc have ever moneioned aijptaing apows this incident.
as oF the amt "CSSLON tHat pen LICONG » the WATTS
and severed Obner of the so-called cducsted necro xilios meld tuerselves aloo? Brom the poorer class nemro and mace no o core to socialize ccualle wita Tilt» [| stated he ves of the inorcssion tat the other nesgrocs in town
folt that ther wore not«in the sane sceiel class as tlie HOORES.
o*
Roth[__ Stace whey wer
chiuaisht be of assistance in ascer the wrsiorm subje obs or the reasons for HOORE’s indivicvals vore very cooporasive andi] advil ; boars sor the Mims erca were in her possession ana available Yor inspection
+
ia te everrt same wore dcomcd NOCOSSAY «
vnsble to furnish amr ine
uv
fa Vea? Aint: the identities of * aw
i.
t 5 @ b6 owe. b7c WWBemsf ,
HM 44-270 By teletype deted Januar 1952, Seattle wes requested to check the personnel file for at Ft. Lewis, Washington. By teletype 2 ss vised that instant records for reflsct that by Special Order » Paragraph 33, dated September 27, 1951, at Headquarters,
Sansebo, Replacement Depot, Japan, APO 27 was returned to the United States from duty in Korea, Records reflect he arrived at Ft, Lawton, Washington, December & and re-~enlisted in the Army at Ft. Lawhen December 9, He was administratively assigned to Ft. Lewis fran Ft. Lawton, [7 Iwas granted a 30 day re-enlistment leave at Ft. Lawton and is to report to F is
at the conclusion of this leave, According to records, omc requested and was granted an extension of 30’ days! leave due to an emergency which leave was granted, [___J]is not scheduled to return to
Ft, Lewis until about February 9, No other informtion was available
in the records at Ft, Lewis. |
Records at Ft. Lawton, Seattle, Washington, verified all of the above information and further refloct[_—_] 201 filc was forwarded to the Adjutant General's Office in washington, D. C, His Ft. Lawton records do not reflect any information as to names of individuals who might be acquainted with or familiar with the type of individual SIMS may be. :
Ft. Lawton Authorities advised it is most improbable that [| could have secreted any explosives on himself or in his effects at the time he left JAPAN, stating that the men are thoroughly searched both upon leaving Japan and again upon arrival in the States. No explosives of any type available at Ft. Lawton and was not at Ft. Lewis after his arrival in the States. 4
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FFMsmsf
bo WM 44~270 BIC
The following investigation wes conducted by Special Agents
LO and J on Janvary 7, 1952, at Mims, Florida,
BASIS: To determine fron[ i hs activity immediately following the bombing of victims! home and his activities immediately following his trip to the Sanford Memorial -Hospital with the victims, Also to determine his activities since his arrival
in itims on Thursday December 20, 1951, from his post of duty from Ft. Lewis, Washington and to obtain his permission to search his automobile and home for any evidence of high explosive material which might have been used in instant bombing. To determine whether victims HARRY T. MCORE and HARRIETT MORE had any life insurance policies and if so ith what companies, what beneficiaries and in what amount. )
SHE _
On interview [__|stated that he has been in the United States Army since January 20, 1941 and that he hes been home on infrequent occasions. During the course of his work in the Army he has gained a "common working knowledge of explosives", He recalled that during October, 1947, he attended Infantry School where he was taught something about explosives, He hss not however h'd any extensive training of combat use in explosives.
[_ J relatea he returned to the United States from Korsa on the USNS General Buckner, at that time he md his wife were allowed to bring with them three picces of baggage each. The remzinder of his houschold .ffects and baggage followed him by transport and have just recently arrived in San Francisco where they are at the present time.
noted that the bagzage including his wite's was unlocked, opened end
inspected by United States Customs, Officials both in Yokohema and seattle, .
furnished the following itinerary of his activities Since his arrival in Mims Thursday December 20, 1951:
12/20/51 Arrived between 2:30 and 3:00 2M, Uoon arrival stopped at HARRY T. MOORE's house and visited there approximately 30 to 45 minutes. He then came on to theL_——_lresidence visiting there with his femily for a short time. Inmedintely
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MM 44~—270
12-21-51
ge
12~23 ad 51 4
«
. _ 'b7e
thereafter he went to the County Court House in Titusville
where he bonghb. a hunting license because he desired to
kolunting end fishing during his leave, While in Titusville
he bought shot gun sheils at Pritchard's hardware Store,
He steted his mother, sister-in-law, and wife wont with him
end they shopped in the A & P Grocery Store at Titusville. recalled he went into another hardware store where
he bought more shot gun shells and a hunting cap, Thereaftor
the entire group returned. home and spent tre entire evening
at home,
[_] stated h: was unable to recall his axact activities of this date, but he thought it was a day of routine. He stated he thought he went to — house sometime during the day and that carly in the morning either 8:00 Av or 9:00 AM he and his brother[ __ went ug North of ims to do some duck hunting. He stated after thy had
‘finished their hunting they came back and to the bust of his
raicoliection he took his mother down town to Titusville.
On their way back they stopped at the MOORE residence to
tell them that they were going to Jacksonville on Saturday December 22, 1951, and invited the MOORE family to come along, The invitation was declined, Thereafter he stated he went home and went to bed. In this onn-ctionL___] recallod receiving a letter from the Customs Department requesting additional copics of his orders in order to release his baggage.
On this date,[___] stated hc, his wife, [ _Jand his wife
- and his mother left at sbout 7:30 AM and went to Jacksonville,
Florida where they visited his wife's family, L.___|steted hw went in to the Customs Department where he furnished additional copies of his orders as rsquisted in the above mentioncd lctter, The rest of the family did some shopping. LT stated they came back Saturday afternoon and he staycd around the house
for the rest of the day. ,
[|] stxted that to the best of his recollcction he wont nowhere. He recalled definitely that he did not go to church, He stated he was not sure but he might hve taken a short ride up through and around Mims.
- 148 =
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MM ~ 4h-270
12~2h~51 [stated he went hunting during the morning north of Mims. He returned home about noontime and he and his brother[___] went fishing the entire afternoon. The evening was spent at home and that ail retired early.
12~25—51 | __ prated that during the morning he and his broth r went fishing again until 11:00 AM or 12:00 noon, Thereafter they returned home and got clsaned up for Christms Dinner, He stated he recalled asking at about 3:00 in the afternoon when dinner was ready and he was told it wuld be ready about 4:00 PM. He stated the dinrr guests began arriving shortly before dinner was served, Those present were and his wife, and his wife, and his wife, HARRY T. and HARRIETT MOORE, Mrs. MOORE, HARRY's mother and Mrs, STiili's and ANNIE ROSALEA MOORE, «as nearly as he could recall[_]stated the {Lert at about 6:00 PM. Shortly thereafter end his wife left. About 20 minutes after the left HaRRY T. and HARRIETT MOORE along with ANNIE ROSALHA left for home. [_|stated this was ap-roximatcly 7:00 to 7:15 PM. [L___Jrecalled that after the MOORIs had left he took his wife and mother for a drive down below Titusville for the purpose of looking at Christmas decorations. They returned by way of north Mims driving around that area and looking at more decorations and then returned home. | stated h. went to bed about 9:00 PM and recalled nothing further until his wife woke him up telling him that there
had been an explosion and ANNIE ROSALEA was calling for we [and stiuted he arose, openocd a window
and at that time heard ANNIE's crics for help, Thereafter He and~___|dressed hurriedly and rushed over to the MOORS home. where they found the wreckage.
[_|stated he and his brother got HARRY T. MOORE and HARRIETT MOORE into[L___| car and drove them back to the[ __}residence where the victims were transferred to[(__Jautomobile for the purpose of trans- ferring them to the Sanford “emorial Hospital, [|_| stated this action was
~ 149 -
be b7c MM hh—270
taken because his car, a 1951 Buick, was faster and he felt the victims would be more confortahle, According toL___| HARRY T, MOORE made no statements enroute to Sanford and HARRIETT MOORE was incoherent for the most part, He recalls she asked about her husband and daughter during the trip. After they had reached the hospital and learned of HAsRRY's death, he recalled HARRIETT rallied sufficiently to tell him that she had a black billfold containing money in the dresser drawer. and that HARRY T. MOORE!'s billfold was there too, She also told him that her teacher's retirement fund recoipts were in a glass dish and that HiRRY T. MOORB!s briefcase containing his correspondence was in the house, She requested that he get these items and turn thom over to ANNIE. [[__|stated he
immediately left for Mims and upon arriving at the MOORE residence found Pt re. According to[______—dassisted him . in his searchfor the above mentioned iters and that all of them with the
exception of the retirement receipts were found. He said the recvipts were found the next morning. The receipts and the billfolds were turned over to ANNTS ROSALSA and she ms them at this time,
In response to ingwiry,[__Jadvised that he was approximately 12 years of age wh-n was marricd, He said that when ho was 26 years of age he left Mims and has spent the past 11 years in tho
army returning only for short vacation visits. At no time since he hs know HaRRY has he hed any difficulties with him whatsoever. He said he always held HARRY in the highest estcem. He emphatically denied that he had anything to do with the bombing and at this point invited the agents to search all of his possessions, He voluntarily showed the Agmts through
his automobile and the[_____] home end the scarch on the wrt of the .gents was with negative results. No evidence wes found of any explosives what- soever.
Concerning the life insurance of HARRY T. MOORE and HarRIeTt MOORE, [stated he knew HAuRY had a $500 policy with the Afro~imerican Life Insurance Company and that HARRYts mother was named beneficiary of this policy, He stated-that[ | wife of and daughter of [dis the agent for this company and that more detailed information could be obtained from her, [[__Jalso recalled that a policy of the Lillie White Burial Fund was found in the effects at the home and that HisRTiTT MOOR was named beneficiary. In this connection bo Stated that the amount of this policy was unknown to him, He also stated that the company, whose headquarters he believed were in Palatka, Florida refused to pay the burial claim because they stated the policy was not paid
@ 6 ; b6
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MM 44-270
up to date, According to [ the records found in kvORL's home indicated all of the payments were up to date. He also stated there might hsve ben & po.icy, amount unknown with the Atlantic Life Insurance Company boaguse HankY T. MOORE was a former agent for the company, To date, however, no . evidence of such a policy has been found, r—Istated thet HankieTT MOORD
\ had no insurance.
In connection with the investigation, [__Jaavis ed thas his
youngest sister, of 32 Longsdale, White Plains, New York has just arrived. said that ha not heard from HARRIETT for sometime end had mver in any letters receivec
been advised of any trouble existing in connection with HARRY T. hOORM!s activities,
-~ PENDING -
‘~ L5l -
WWF smsf ADMINISTRATIVE MM 44-270
Attention is callud to the fact that all the following leads have been previously set forth by teletype to the respective offices.
Tie ATLANTA OFFICE
Will report the results of contacts with KKK informants relative to any informtion in possession of those informants which might indicate Klan activity in instent bombing.
THs BIRMINGHSM OFFICE
Will after the arrival of a for the Southern Region of NAACP, interview her for any information contained in her files reletive to the activities
of HARRY T. MOORE between the dates of November 26 and
December 16, 1951,
Will determine during interview exactly what took plece at the NAACP State Convention at Daytona Beach, Florida November 23, to 25, 1951.
THE CH. RLOTTE OFFICE Will report results of contacts with KKK informants relative to any knowledge possessed by those informants, that instant bombing was perpetrated as a result of Klan motivation.
THU SAVANNAH OFFICE Will report results of contacts with KKK informants
relative to eny informtion in their possession indicating that instant bombing might have been motivated by the Klan,
u
~ 152 -
Ma 44-270
aDMINiSTRaATIVE
At Columbia, South Carolina
Will contact [wh is known to the Savannah Office as a previous confidential informant of the Miami Offi ce to determine whether or not was away from Columbia, South Carolina during the Christmas holidays particularly on December 25, the date of instant bombing.
THE NeW YORK OFFICE
Will maintain contact with the National Headquarters of the NAACP to immediately obtain any information coming to that organization with regard to instant bombing.
THE WaSHINGTON FILD OFFICE
Will report results of the check with AGO relative to tho personnel file of
» Background information for the purpose of determining his close associxtes and his general reputation should be obtained,
The PITTSBURGH OF FICK
WiLL interview one for the Pittsbureh « Courier who made a statement to
Lo cles onville Florida Branch | would be a logical suspect in instant bombing. It should be determined from
the basis. of his statement relative to being & Logical suspect,
THE MIaML OFFICE
Will report findings of FBI Laboratory,
Other leads for the Miami Division are not being set forth as same sre being handled on an immediate basis within the Division, °
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b6 b7C b7D
b6 b7c
b6 b7C
WWBsmsf ADMINISTRATIVE ‘INFORMANTS is | b2 is b7D is
is~L. id a member of the [_]xxx, who requested his identity be kept confidential.
who requested his identity be kept confi- ential. .
[—JisD rx at a
[__j who requested his identity be kept confidential.
[_Jis of Miami Office, who is presently residing in
Lh
MM 44-270
REFERENCE:
a
ADMINISTRATIVE Report of Special Agent{[ | dato January 1, 1952, Numerous telephone calls from the Bureau to Miami and
numerous teletypes between Miami and the Bureau as well as Miami and auxiliary offices,
-~ 155 -
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INDEX Page
© 2 0 0 o 86 ec o AO, 85 -o @ 0 co @ oh o 34, 66, 121 «so ee « 136 2 2 © © o LBL * # @ @ © 90 e oh, 8&5
oe °
‘} afefs a * @ s o # 9 ° 6 2 © 0 e » ® o ° 6 9 a 6 8 ° ¢ * $ 3 9 6 8 6 @ 6 6 8 e s 6 o e e 6 . °° @© @ © @ © 0 @ a 9 9 e 6 9 9 o o 9g e ® 6 oS 6 e 6 8 3 a e e e e ® © © 09 6&6 @ 6 «6 6 $ e o » 2 ¢ s 9 Fe 6 6 e o o a an 6 o 6 s 8 ° 4 o eo a 8 6 9 $ 6 e 8 9S 6 a 9 4 ° a o a 6 o 6 9 e 2 * Oo 6 ° o 6 ® 6 8 Q eo e 6 & a 6 e o a @ * ° é es e Bb ° ¢ 9 e s
. BAUEY, Nodes tt ee cee cee eee eee LL, UB
< © oe @ 0 © © © © © &@ &@ © oO &@ oO ew oe le 66, 675 L50
°c 0 0 © 0 0 © 60 © © oe 8 8 8 8 8 8 tw tly 123, 12h
. oe © © © we © 6 8 eee 88 8 8 we 8 ll lew 8 lo AD ee ato.” snannon CURLY Pr ee ee 3 109,’ 3
{ oh "OR e@ 2 0 e© ee © & © © © & © e&© © 8B © o ° 9 @ © @ @ 113
} © 0 0 @ © © © © 0 & © © &@ 0 80 ew ehh lel lw 138
~ eo ¢ © @ © © 6© @© © @ © 6 &@ © 60 &@ & © 6 ell 85 9
ys o 0 © © @ #@ © © @ © © © © & © © & 8 oe Pe ew & 8 oOky
~N oo @ © © © © © © © © 8 © © © © A 6 131,132, 138
“Q° BROOKLYN, EARL .« «6.0 10 e » 0 co ow ao we oe co oo ow 25 LOD, 110, LIL
° © 0 © © &© © © @© © © 6 8 Ole lll ll lel 5
¥ ° co 0 ®© © @ © © @ e@ &@ 8 8 0 le lhl lel lo le lo 90
e® 0 6@ @€ 02 8 e@ 8 ee 8 &e 8e ee oe & e P e bo, 030, 32
¥ o @¢€ 0 © © © @ © @€ @ 9 & © ®@® © © @© @ @ @ 30, 32
Ey °» © @ @ #@ © @ @ #@*e@ © © @ @ © @ @© © 2 @ © @ 131
Ys BUTT, COLONEL .« ® © © © © © © © 6 © © © © © © © © &© 8 oO 8 6 el ltl 136
® o © © © 8 © © @® ¢€ © 09 © © 802 © @ &© © © © &© © © B&B © i
is © 955 103,°117, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, -137,
\ 138, 139
St CARLTON, JUDGE. 2» oe eo eo ep eo ave eee eo ee ew eo wo « LO
x > 02 © © © © © © © © © © © © © & & 6h Ly
5 eo c oo @# @9 @# @ @ © @® @ 6 8 09 @ @ © © @ # © 71
a eo 0 ® © @ © © © ¢€ © © © 80 8 © 0 we ew ell 63
Pr er ee Ls hh,
COUCH, ARTHUR (COUTCH) 2 0 «coo e cece eo ee eo ce 20 0 0 ow OT, 59
o ¢ 0 © o@ © © © © & @ © © ew & 6 & © © Bw GF ew Oe 38, L105
- 156 -
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of Orlando, Florida who ms a small business manufacturing Railroad Torpedos and who hss bein reported to tho Miami Office on a previous Security Metter to have made the statem nt tol___——sd b6 who is a known Communist, and to be considered as somewhat of a torpedo bIC or trouble shooter, that "when the time gomes I'm ready", is being given consideration as a logical suspect in Phis case.
f the Miami Office and who is bé now located inL_____—i“(‘(WtUUCC*d and hose identify has been mde b7c
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Savannah hag Seen requested to detemine froe
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during the Christmas Molidays and particularly on Tecamber 25. the day of instant bombing, \
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, isl] a phember of the[] KKK, who requested his identity be kept cohfidential.
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